One month break for Speedy Jantan to recover from hamstring injury

His coach Mohd Poad Md Kassim said Khairul Hafiz will be undergoing treatment at the National Sports Institute (ISN) and could only restart his training regiment with light jogging in about two weeks time.

"Khairul underwent an examination at ISN today and will start treatment tomorrow. It is a moderate hamstring, level two, but he can walk as normal without any pain," he told Bernama.

The 19-year-old dubbed "Speedy Jantan" will receive treatment at ISN until Thursday and thereafter return to his home in Melaka to rest. Following that he has to return ti ISN for follow-up checks before report himself to his alma mater, Sekolah Sukan Tunku Mahkota, Johor to resume his pre-university studies.

At the Kuala Lumpur SEA Games, Khairul Hafiz ended Malaysia's 14-year wait for the men's 100m gold when he defeated defending champion Eric Cray of the Philippines in 10.38s. Nazmizan Muhammad had last won the gold at the 2003 Games in Vietnam.

He was looking at a triple gold haul but the hamstring injury put paid to his dream. He came in fourth in the 200m and had to pull ot of the 4x100m.

Mohd Poad said the national record holder in the 100m and 200m, 10.18s and 20.90s respectively, would train for next year's Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, Australia and Asian Games in Jakarta, subject to clearance from the Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM).

"If OCM gives the nod, we have in place a training plan," he said.

OCM prior to this was reported as saying that the council wanted to collaborate with the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) and the Asian Athletics Association (AAA) to draw up a training plan for the youngster so that he can become a world beater one day.