What made it even more amazing was that the team, comprising P. Yuvaraaj, Schzuan Ahmad Rosely, S. Kannathasan and Mohd Yunus Lasaleh, were not even supposed to compete in the Games as they were initially dropped.
In fact, they did not even have a coach with them here.
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| Stunners: (from left) Mohd Yunus Lasaleh, S. Kannathasan, Schzuan Ahmad Rosely and P.Yuvaraaj celebrating after winning the 4x400m gold medalon |
But, somehow, they received a last-minute call-up, and only arrived on Saturday.
That decision, late as it was, proved to be an astute one as the quartet powered their way to the gold medal, leading from start to finish to clock 3:10.47.
“We got the call late last week and only arrived on Saturday,” said Yunus, who is competing in his first SEA Games.
“It’s a great feeling because we were branded no-hopers.
“Maybe the other teams thought so as well because none of us ran in the 400m. Our presence made them lose focus as the third Indonesian runner dropped his baton.”
The Philippines benefited from Indonesia’s error to claim silver while Thailand took bronze.
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| Golden leap: Malaysia’s Lee Hup Wei celebrates after successfully completing his hat-trick of SEA Games men’s high jump gold medals in Palembang Monday. |
The golden quartet are scheduled to fly home early today although team manager Rajemah Sheikh Ahmad is trying to reschedule their flight to tomorrow.
Earlier, Hup Wei made a successful comeback from major foot surgery, which had ruled him out for seven months, to complete his hat-trick of gold medals in the SEA Games.
The 23-year-old Hup Wei, who also won in Korat 2007 and Laos 2009, cleared a low 2.15m but it was more than enough to win as the quality of competition was poor.
Thailand’s Pramote Pumurai took silver with 2.12m while Vietnams Nguyen Duy Bang settled for bronze on 2.08m.
The other Malaysian high jumper, Ahmad Najwan Aqra, also cleared 2.08m but lost the bronze on countback.
“It has been tough ever since the operation.
“I didn’t think I would compete in the Games,” said the lanky Hup Wei.
“But I recovered pretty fast - for which I’m grateful to the National Sports Council and the National Sports Institute - and, in August, I thought maybe I could give it a shot.
“It’s definitely not my best height but it’s my first competition since surgery. Hopefully, I’ll continue to stay fit and jump to greater heights.”
In the men’s hammer, debutant Jackie Wong overcame nerves and the intimidating crowd to throw 57.04m on his second try to earn a bronze.
Thailand’s Phetchaiya Tantip took the gold while Arniel Ferrera of the Philippines bagged the silver.
Another star of the day was Indonesian sprinter Franklin Ramses Burumi who won the men’s 200m sprint to make it a grand double after winning the 100m on Satur-day.
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