Malaysian sprint sensation Muhammad Azeem Fahmi had an impressive season opener by setting a new personal best in the 200m during the 1st day of Perak All-Comers at Ipoh today (22 Feb 2020).
The 15-year-old clocked a time of 21.04 (+1.1), erasing his previous best of 21.15 he set last year in Thailand. Read here
He was not pushed to his maximum and crossed the line ahead of his closest opponent by at least 10 meters.
This shows that he will run even faster in the 200m and will likely improve on his 100m best time of 10.57, which he set in November last year. Read here
In Malaysia, only six senior sprinters have run faster than him, with Russel Taib's national record of 20.77 leading the list.
This is followed by Khairul Hafiz Jantan at 20.90 that broke the Malaysian long-time record in 2017. Behind him is the time of 20.92 shared by M. Jegathesan from 1968 and Jonathan Nyepa from 2019.
Azmi Ibrahim ran 20.97 nineteen years ago, and Aqil Yasmin's 21.01 set on the same track today, was another one above Azeem's.
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."
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"
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 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.
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
