KUALA LUMPUR – The Malaysian Athletics Federation (MAF) has set a target for four of its athletes to advance to the finals of their respective events at the upcoming Birmingham Commonwealth Games.
Its president Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim said the four were men’s high jump athlete Nauraj Singh Randhawa, Muhammad Irfan Shamsuddin (men’s discus throw), Andre Anura Anuar (men’s long jump) and Shereen Samson Vallabuoy (women’s 400m).
“Although the competition in the Commonwealth is very challenging with prominent athletes there, we want them (local athletes) to give a good challenge regardless of who their opponents are.
“This target has been set based on the track record of our athletes in previous tournaments,” he told reporters after the MAF council meeting today.
Other Malaysian track and field athletes who will also be competing at the Games in Birmingham from July 28 to August 8 are sprinter Russel Alexander Nasir Taib (200m), Jackie Wong (men’s hammer) and Grace Wong (women’s hammer).
Shahidan also announced the appointment of Perlis Athletics Association secretary M. Iyaru as the manager of the athletics camp for Birmingham 2022, as well as the list of sub-committees for the 2022-2025 term.
Meanwhile, national athletics head coach Mohd Manshahar Abdul Jalil said so far, Nauraj had the prospect of finishing in the top five at Birmingham if he could match his season-best record of 2.27m (indoor) or his national record of 2.30m.
“If you can do 2.30m, there may also be an opportunity to bring back a medal. Muhammad Irfan has a chance to finish 10th-12th with his best throw of 61.61m recorded in Germany last month as there are over five challengers who can throw over 65m.
“For Shereen, to win a medal, she needs to record a time of under 51 seconds, but for now, her best record is 52.68s. So even if you are in the semi-final group, I think it’s good enough, and reaching the final is definitely better,” he said.
He also confirmed that Nauraj had qualified for the World Athletics Championships in Eugene, USA from July 15-24 based on his world ranking, while Shereen’s status of advancing on a ‘wildcard’ ticket was expected to be known within a few days. – Bernama, June 30, 2022
