South East Asian sprint king, Khairul Hafiz Jantan is looking forward to participate in three major championships next year.
The Melaka-born sprinter said he had to work hard from now to make his debut at the three major championships, namely the 2018 World Indoor Athletics Championships in Birmingham, England on March 1 to 4, 2018, the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, Australia (April 4 - 15, 2018) and the 2018 Asia Games in Jakarta, Indonesia (Aug 18 to Sept 2).
"Alhamdulillah, I have fully recovered from the thigh muscle strains which I sustained at the 2017 Kuala Lumpur SEA Games (KL2017) and I thank the National Sports Institute (ISN), National Sports Council and coaches for the support and motivation rendered while I was recuperating from the injury," he told Bernama here recently.
The winner of the gold medal in the men's 100-metre event at KL2017 said he was determined to do his level best at the three championships.
"If I cannot win any medal, I hope at least I can break my best personal record of 10.38s recorded at KL2017 and 10.18s at the Malaysia Games in 2016," he said.
Khairul Hafiz said the World Athletics Championship, Commonwealth Games and Asia Games were important for him to show to the world that Malaysian athletes could also be tough competitors.
"I believe many of the best athletes in the world will participate in the three championships but it will not deter me from performing my best for the country," he said.
He is scheduled to undergo a one-month training in Germany from February 2018 and to proceed to Birmingham to take part in the world championship in March.
For the record, at KL2017, Khairul Hafiz ended Malaysia's 14-year drought for the gold medal in the men's 100 metres by beating defending champion, Eric Cray from the Philippines by clocking 10.38 seconds.
The last time Malaysia won the medal was through Nazmizan Muhammad at the 2003 SEA Games in Vietnam.
The national sprint champion also demonstrated an extraordinary performance when he recorded 10.18 seconds at the 2016 Malaysia Games in Sarawak and broke the national record of 10.30 seconds by Watson Nyambek, 18 years ago.
-- BERNAMA
Bernama
Tue Oct 24 2017
The winner of the gold medal in the men's 100-metre event at KL2017 says he was determined to do his level best at the three championships. - Filepic
Iran's supreme leader says Hamas leader's death will not halt 'Axis of Resistance'
The "Axis of Resistance", built up with years of Iranian support, includes Hamas, the Lebanese Hezbollah group, the Houthi movement in Yemen, and various Shi'ite groups in Iraq and Syria.
Putin says Russia willing to seek compromises between Iran and Israel
Russia is ready to help seek compromises between arch-foes Israel and Iran, President Vladimir Putin said on Friday, saying these would be difficult but possible.
What proposals will Russia push at the BRICS summit?
The proposal is also to establish a BRICS reinsurance company to allow uninterrupted shipment of goods and key commodities between members.
Indonesia's free meals plan in the spotlight as Prabowo readies for office
Prabowo calls the programme one of the main drivers of economic growth, eventually set to add an estimated 2.5 million jobs.
Astro AWANI's revamped English news website, AWANI International, launches on Oct 21
Astro AWANI's revamped English platform delivers in-depth global news and expert analysis to keep you informed on key developments.
Israeli strikes kill 33 people in Jabalia refugee camp in Gaza, medics say
Residents of Jabalia said Israeli tanks had reached the heart of the camp after pushing through suburbs and residential districts.
Liam Payne's ex-partner calls for media restraint after 'painful' death
Cheryl Tweedy used her statement to urge the media to remember they had a seven-year-old son, Bear, who could read the reports.
Analysts: Indonesia's strong MoF leadership team to boost investor confidence
Sri Mulyani Indrawati as head of Indonesia's Ministry of Finance is expected to instil confidence among investors.
Biden offers both a carrot and a stick to Israel as his term nears an end
Israel has frequently resisted US advice and has caused political difficulties for the Biden administration.
Putin says BRICS will generate most of global economic growth
Russian President Vladimir Putin will host a summit of the group in the city of Kazan on Oct. 22-24.
ISIS Malaysia's perspective of Budget 2025
An excellent rakyat-centric budget under the overarching principle of a caring and humane economy.
Budget 2025: Record increase in STR, SARA aid initiatives
The government will provide a significant boost to the Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) and Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) initiatives next year.
Budget 2025: EPF contributions to be made mandatory for foreign workers – PM Anwar
The government plans to make it compulsory for all non-citizen workers to contribute to the Employees Provident Fund (EPF).
What policies to expect from Indonesia's new President Prabowo
Prabowo will be open to foreign investment, his aide has said, such as by offering investors management of airports and sea ports.
Budget 2025: Govt allocates RM470 mil to empower women's participation in PMKS
The Women's Leadership Apprenticeship Program will be intensified as an effort to produce more female corporate personalities.
Israel sends more troops into north Gaza, deepens raid
Residents of Jabalia in northern Gaza said Israeli tanks had reached the heart of the camp, using heavy air and ground fire.
Indonesia ramps up security ahead of Prabowo's inauguration
Prabowo Subianto will be sworn in as Indonesia's president on Sunday with Vice President-elect, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, also taking office.
Immediate allocation of RM150 mil for local authorities, DID to tackle flash floods
Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said this allocation is intended to address the recent flash floods that hit the capital and several major towns.
Budget 2025: Sabah, Sarawak to continue receiving among highest allocations - PM
Sabah and Sarawak continues to be prioritised under Budget 2025, with allocations of RM6.7 billion and RM5.9 billion respectively.
NFOF will be operational in November 2024 with funding of RM1 bil
PM Anwar Ibrahim said NFOF will support venture capital fund managers to invest in startup companies with RM300 million set aside for 2025.