World Indoor Athletics cancelled over Coronavirus outbreak

The World indoor athletics championships due to be held in Nanjing, China on 13-15 March have been called off.

This based on the Press release by the governing body of athletics, the World Athletics. Read here

The World Athletics quoted "the advice from our medical team, who are in contact with the World Health Organisation, is that the spread of the Coronavirus both within China and outside the country is still at a concerning level and no one should be going ahead with any major gathering that can be postponed."

"We have chosen not to cancel the championships as many of our athletes would like this event to take place so we will now work with our athletes."

The World Athletics proposed that the 18th edition of the bi-annual world championship event to be held next year around March.

"Our partners and the Nanjing organising committee to secure a date in 2021 to stage this event."

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Cancellation of Asian Indoor Athletics Championships, Hangzhou China

The Asian Athletics Association (AAA) had canceled the 9th Asian Indoor Athletics Championships scheduled from Feb 12-13 at Hangzhou, China amid fears of the coronavirus outbreak.

In a letter from the president Dahlan Al Hamad to the members of AAA today, he expressed great concern on the accelerating pace of the epidemic virus issues, that appears to have originated in China, spreading rapidly and even crossing borders.

The association said they had requested the Medical Commission to diagnose the issues at hand and recommend their best resolution.

"After much consideration and from the advice of our Medical Commission and our Asian Council Members, we have decided to cancel the Championship this time. The safety of our athletes and officials are our priority."

"The whole world is gravely anguished about this crisis that has claimed many lives and has triggered an emergency amidst a backdrop of caution and stark measures seeking to contain this virus"

"We aim to limit the possibility of transmission of the deadly virus and to protect our Asian Athletics family and friends."

"By this decision, I sincerely believe it will ease the burden of our Chinese counterparts in Organising such a big event amidst the epidemic setbacks and give them ample time to focus on the problems at hand"

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Luqman Hakim Ramlan leaps to third Malaysian longest jump at 7.87m

Malaysia's Luqman Hakim Mohd Ramlan has registered 7.87m in the men's long jump today (22 December) during the MAKSAK athletics championships at Kuala Lumpur.

He renewed his season-best of 7.77m he set last month, and a personal best of 7.82m from the FTAA all-comers in March last year.

He moved to third on Malaysian all-time long jump list, behind Andre Anura (8.02m) and Josbert Tinus (7.87m).

He is not a new name in athletics, his highest participation in the long jump was in the 2018 Asian Games at Jakarta, and this year's World University Games in Italy.

He also competed in the 2017 SEA Games but injured earlier this year, which prevented him from making a cut for the recent edition.

He also holds the current national record for under 20 (junior) with a leap of 7.58m from 2014.

The 24-year-old is the training partner to Andre Anura who recently became the first Malaysian to surpass the 8-m mark in the long jump, under coach Firdaus Salim.

Luqman Hakim Ramlan soars to 3rd longest jump in Malaysia (7.87m)

Malaysia's all-time lists in men's long jump (as at 22 Dec 2019)

8.02m ..... Andre ANURA @ ANUAR ... 2019
7.88m ..... Josbert TINUS ... 2007
7.87m ..... Luqman Hakim RAMLAN... 2019
7.85m ..... Zaki SADRI ... 1996
7.85m ..... Abdul Latif ROMLI ... 2018
7.73m ..... Hanafiah NASIR ... 1986
7.73m ..... Wan Mohamad Nazri ZAIN ...1996
7.72m ..... Juraimi ISMAIL ... 1995
7.72m ..... Mohd Hazuan ZAINAL ABIDIN ... 2003
7.69m ..... Syahrul Amri SUHAIMI ... 2005

By Jad Adrian (ATFS)

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Audrey Hillary Jugah, 15, clocked 10.91 in 100m?

The 2nd edition of Sukan Sarawak of SUKSAR (Sarawak State Games) in Miri (9-14 December 2019) has produced some attracted results in track and field events.

The main highlight was the record-breaking performance of five young local sprinters who have broken the games record of 11.11.

Fifteen-year-old Audray Macshaquille Hillary Jugah, born 16 January 2004, was reported to have clocked a time of 10.91 to win the century.

No wind-winding was available or reported.

Edward Adau Peritt whose PB is 10.93 grabbed the second spot from Dion Dexter Harden who ended in third. Both have clocked an identical time of 10.99.

Khairulnash Mohammad was slightly behind them in 11.00 to finish in the 4th ahead of Givyasclive Yamin in 5th (11.07).

Audray (left) ran 10.91 in the 100m (Photo by Borneo Post Online)

This shows that Malaysia has got plenty of talent for sprint running.

In less than 4 weeks ago, a 15-year-old Malaysian sprinter, Azeem Fahmi has run the 100m in 10.57 to become one of the world's fastest sprinters for the age of under 16.

Previously, a 14-year-old sprinter, Jad Rizalman clocked 10.96 in the 100m dash.

Not many who have run the 100m in less than 11 seconds at very young ages.

Meanwhile, many other athletes have excelled by breaking the games records that were set during the first edition in 2017.

The biennial multi-sports event involved athletes aged 19 or under, as one of the selection platforms for the state for Malaysian Games (SUKMA) next year.

All winners and best results during the first day (11-Dec) are as follows:

MEN
100m
1. Audray Macshaquille Hillary Jugah 10.91
2. Edward Adau Perit 10.99
3. Dion Dexter Kedang Harden 10.99
4. Khairulnash Mohammad 11.00
5. Givyasclive Yamin 11.07

400m
1. Russell Bryan Christie 51.66 (GR)

1500m
1. Jetris Foo 4:26.11 (GR)

400m hurdles
1. Christ Endree Molem 55.86 (GR)

Long Jump
1. Jeremiah Udau Dariyyus 6.86 (GR)

Discus Throw
1. Wong Yu Kiong 33.83

Hammer Throw
1. Sii Hoe Kiong 44.36
2. Wong Yew In 43.36
3. Muhd Rafiuddin Aminuddin 41.17

10000m walk
1. Mohammad Putera Aulul Yusni 1:01:07.20

WOMEN
100m
1. Floristhy Loura Paul 12.68

400m
1. Chloe Thong Yueh 62.92

1500m
Lvy Nayan Banyah 5:32.36 (GR)

400m hurdles
1. Norafifah Hijrah Jaidi 71.44 (GR)

Long Jump
1. Nathalie Lenang 5.15m

Triple Jump
1. Vanessa Payak Ubau 11.11

Shot Put
1. Vennearyiu Kasim 10.92 (GR)


The winners and best results during the second day (12-Dec) are as follows:

MEN

200m
1. Dion Dexter Kedang Harden 22.58

800m
1. Alif Zaini 2:06.53 (GR)

3000m Steeplechase
1. Lucas Wong Sie Hong 10:39.53

110m Hurdles
1. Elvin Yap Zhi Xian 15.51 (GR)

High Jump
1. Raof Sapie 1.91 (GR)

Shot Put
1. Liong King Hui 13.60 (GR)

Javelin Throw
1. Pethius Jadam 54.91 (GR)


WOMEN

200m
1. Floristhy Loura Paul 26.49

800m
1. Rosy Libau 2:38.93

3000m Steeplechase
1. Lvy Nayan Banyah 13:18.82

100m Hurdles
1. Norafifah Hijrah Jaidi 16.53 (GR)

High Jump
1. Rosita Lua Jabing 1.56m (GR)

Hammer Throw
1. Joyee Wong Hui Yi 34.36

Javelin Throw
1. Vannesha Sandau 32.69

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Irfan Shamsuddin wins 4th SEA Games title in discus throw

Flash Performance ____Malaysia's Irfan Shamsuddin has bagged his 4th discus gold medal of SEA Games.

The Asian championship silver medalist has thrown 57.29m in his first attempt to win his pet event handily.

H needed only this throw to ensure the gold in his possession for the fourth consecutive time - no valid attempt during his next attempts and

He won his first sea gAMES gold from the 2013 edition in Nay Pyi Taw.

The sports management student had a minor hand injury prior to the meet that prevented him from throwing further.

He has a PB of 62.55m and became the first of Southeast Asian to throw over 60m in the discus throw.

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Hakimi Ismail leaps 16.68 to win his 3rd SEA Games gold in triple jump

Flash Performance ____ Malaysia's Muhammad Hakimi Ismail clinched his 3rd consecutive win of the men's triple jump during the last day (10 Dec) of athletics event at the SEA Games at New Clark City, the Philippines.

He registered 16.68m (-0.2) during his 3rd jump after setting an opening jump of 16.27m, which was followed by 16.28m in the 2nd attempt.

Mark Harry Diones of the Philippines has managed a 16.42m jump to bag silver medal.

Indonesia's long jump champion, Sapwaturrahman in 3rd in 16.21m.

Hakimi teammate and training partner, Andre Anura who jumped 8.02m in long jump, was in 5th with a new PB of 16.00m.

It was unfortunate to see Andre's two foul jumps that landed beyond 16.50m.

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Bautista dethrones Rayzam Shah in men's 110m hurdles

Clinton Bautista of the Philippines broke the 30-year-old Malaysian-and-Thai dominations in the men's 110m hurdles as he dethroned a defending champion during the 30th edition of SEA Games at New Clark City, the Philippines (Dec 9).

The 27-year-old grabbed the gold medal from Malaysia's two-time SEA Games winner Rayzam Shah Wan Sofian with a new PB and his first sub-14.

Both were given the same timing of 13.97 (-0.2 m/s), but Bautista 'arrived' to the finish line first, very marginally ahead of his rival, and had to be decided by a careful photo-finish review.

His actual time was 13.962, while Rayzam at 13.962, a 0.005 difference!

Bautista has reacted very quickly to the gun and gained a great advantage of his seven-step approach to the first hurdle.

It gave him an early gap in the first clearance from the Malaysian two-time World championship representative, who used a more traditional eight-step approach.

He has improved his lifetime record from 14.13 he set during this year's Asian GP in China.

Laos' Andusone Xaysa secured the bronze in 13.99, also his first legal sub-14 and a new national record. He ran 13.96 in Thai open in 2017 but it was under a doubtful circumstance.

Rayzam whose PB is 13.67 from 2017 won the last edition in Kuala Lumpur, 10 years after his first victory in 2007.

Had he ran his season-best of 13.82, set in March, the gold medal would be in his possession. But he broke his arm during the April Malaysian open GP and had to perform intensive care and treatment.

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Yap Sean Yee and Wanida Boonwan shared SEA Games Gold in high jump

Malaysia's Yap Sean Yee and Thailand's Wanida Boonwan shared the Gold medal in women's High Jump during the 30th SEA Games, at Clark, the Philippines.

Both were awarded the top spot as they cleared the same best height of 1.81m, and also all the previous heights during the same (i.e. first) attempts.

Interestingly, it was the same as in the last edition in Kuala Lumpur, with Vietnam's Duong Thi Viet Anh and Singapore's Michelle Sng shared gold medal in 1.83m.

During this edition, Yap Sean Yee also cleared the same height of 1.83m (her current PB), but ends up in 3rd placing after a countback.

Comparatively, Boonwan has won five medals in SEA Games including gold in 2015. She has a PB of 1.92m, and jumped consistently above 1.85m in the past.

Malaysia's last gold medal in women's high jump was 40 years ago through Gladys Chai who cleared a height of 1.68m. She also won the previous editions in 1973 and 1975.

Unlike in women, Malaysia has a long history of domination of men's high jump in the SEA Games, with Lee Hup Wei taking his fourth SEA Games gold yesterday.

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