Irfan Renews Discus Record, Eyes Gold at SEA Games

KUALA LUMPUR, March 28 (Bernama) -- National discus champion, Muhammad Irfan Shamsuddin (pix) has vowed to defend his gold medal at the SEA Games in Singapore after setting a new national record with a throw of 58.04 metres at the 92nd Malaysian Open Athletics Championship here, Saturday. Muhammad Irfan, 20, overcame his personal record of 54.26 metres which he achieved at the 17th Malaysia Games at the Tuanku Syed Putra Stadium, Kangar, Perlis in May. He said he did not expect to create the encouraging record despite targeting a gold medal at the three-day event at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium, which started Friday. "I felt in good shape when I woke up this morning and I wanted to create a record but I did not expect to get a new record as such," he told reporters after the medal awarding ceremony. Commenting further, Muhammad Irfan said the training camp in Australia, handled by the National Sport Council (MSN) early this month was a catalyst that spurred him to achieve success. "I have learned much there especially the confidence to continue doing the best. In addition, Malaysia Athletics Union (MAU) technical director Robert J. Ballard has taught me a lot on improving my performance," he said. Muhammad Irfan continues to be confident of becoming a feared discus thrower in the South East Asian region by targeting a throw of 60 metres at the SEA Games from June 5 to 16. The SEA games record currently is held by Singaporean discus thrower, Wong Tuck Yim, with a throw of 59.50 metres at the 1999 edition in Brunei. At the championship on Saturday, Muhammad Irfan easily beat his challenger Abdul Rahman Lee of Sarawak who won silver with a throw of 40.88 metres and Mohd Hafiz Hashim (Malaysian Armed Forces) who won the bronze with a throw of 40.62 metres. Meanwhile, Mohd Izzuddin Yahya of Perlis won gold in the men's 100m in a time of 10.51 seconds, despite not achieving his personal best of 10.48s which he recorded Friday. Nixson Kennedy of Sarawak was second in 10.62s and third was Harith Ammar Md Sobri (Terengganu) in 10.63s. (photoBernama) -- BERNAMA