Baihaqi's A Bright Spark

Baihaqi Razlan intends to continue improving in training under coach Ishtiaq Mubarak.

NOT since Shahdan Jamaluddin won a surprise gold in the men's 400 metres hurdles in 2005 has Malaysia had a chance to win the event again at the Sea Games.

In a boost for the often-ignored single-lap hurdle event, teenager Baihaqi Razlan has emerged as a medal contender in Indonesia after qualifying for the Sea Games in November by clocking 52.94 seconds to win gold at the recent Malaysian Institute of Higher Learning Games in Malacca.

The 18-year-old Kelantanese also improved on his personal best by 0.05 of a second which he had set at the Malaysia Games last year.

"I made qualifying for the Sea Games my target for this year and I'm very happy I have achieved it. 

"It will be my debut in Indonesia and I hope to do my best to win a medal there," said Baihaqi yesterday.

Baihaqi may not be alone in going for medals in the 400m hurdles as Azlan Samsuddin, the country's top hurdler at the distance, should also qualify before long.

The 2010 Malaysia Games winner, Azlan, 20, has a personal best of 52.57, easily within the qualifying mark of 53.40.

Thailand's Narongdech Janjai won gold in Vientiane in 2009 in a time of 52.49s, which Azlan and Baihaqi will be aiming to best as they continue training under coach Ishtiaq Mubarak.

"I know I can run better and my plan is to continue to improve in training under coach Ishtiaq.

"I don't know if I'm ready to challenge for gold but it would be a dream to win a medal at the Sea Games at my age.

"In the meantime, I will also be competing in the Asean Schools meet next month," added Baihaqi, who first began running the 110m hurdles in his early years.

Given the dearth of talent coming through Malaysian athletics, Baihaqi's qualification for the Sea Games is just the kind of hopeful story that the sport needs.