ATHLETICS / MSSM CHAMPIONSHIPS: Iskandar Soars To Glory

ACHIEVES TARGET: Johor schoolboy sets Asean junior record in pole vault with ease

Iskandar Alwi needed just four vaults to set the new Asean record of 4.73m at the Malaysian Schools Athletics Championships at the Utama Stadium in Kangar yesterday. Pix by Amran Hamid

ISKANDAR Alwi stole the limelight from the sprinters after setting a new Asean junior record in the Boys' Open pole vault at the Malaysian Schools Athletics Championships at the Utama Stadium in Kangar yesterday.

M. Shandyiani's also erased Wong Boon Syian's eight-year meet record in the Girls' Under-18 high jump for a hat-trick but the sprint events left much to be desired as none of the 100m records were threatened.

Negri Sembilan's Hakim Faizi Rosli and Sabah's Stefbilce Sandy Stephen were anointed Malaysia's fastest schoolboy and schoolgirl respectively after winning the Under-18 100m finals.

But the day belonged to Johor's Iskandar, 18, who also renewed the meet record and needed just four vaults to set the new Asean record of 4.73m.

The Tun Hussein Onn State Sports School Sixth Former confirmed the gold medal after clearing his first height at 4.20m after defending champion Faizul Lazim of Perak bombed out by no-heighting while Johor's Mirza Muazzam Harris Fadzilah exited the competition at 4.10.

After clearing 4.40, Iskandar raised the bar to 4.61 for the meet record before erasing the Asean record by 0.01m to exact sweet revenge on Faizul after settling for silver last year.

"It was my intention to break the records and the setting was perfect. I knew my competitors were out early but I did not let the lack of competition bother me.

"My focus was solely on my performances and on my targets. I was confident of doing it and that (confidence) is very important in this event," said Iskandar, who elected not to continue after clearing 4.73m.

Selangor's Shandyiani won the high jump for the third consecutive year after her 1.72m winning effort bettered the old mark by 0.01m and immediately set her sights on the national record.

"My aim this year is to clear 1.80m to qualify for the World Junior Championships in Barcelona. I have a few international meets including the Asian Juniors and Asean School Games to do it.

"If I train well enough, I know I can do it," said Shandyiani of Shabana Khanum Jalal Din's national record of 1.78m.

Stefbilce retained her girls' 100m crown in 12.37 seconds while Hakim clocked 10.92 to win the boys' event after a short downpour delayed the evening session.

Sarawak continued to lead the medal tally after adding three more gold medals for a total of nine with Perak and Johor following with five gold each.

Selangor opened their account with four gold medals yesterday to rank fourth.

Results:-
Boys' Open Pole vault: 1 Iskandar Alwi (Joh) 4.73m (AJR), 2 Mirza Muazzam Harris Fadzilah (Joh) 4.10;

Under-18 100m: 1 Hakim Faizi Rosli (NS) 10.92s, 2 Amirul Mukmin Yusmiza (Pah) 10.96, 3 Nixson Kennedy (Sar) 10.99;

1,500m: 1 Tan Wei Heng (Ked) 4:06.71s, 2 S. Saranraj (Pah) 4:10.44, 3 V. Jeeventhiran (Pk) 4:11.76;

10,000m walk: 1 R. Eswaran (NS) 51:41.30s, 2 Afiz Firdaus Kamarazaman (Kel) 52:15.36, 3 Zairulasri Zainudin (Pk) 53:28.79;

Shot put: 1 Ong Chin Yong (Sel) 15.51m, 2 Teng How Ann (Sar) 13.29, 3 Anwaruddin Shah Ramli (Kel) 13.25;

Under-15 100m: 1 Ahmad Fikri Hakim Abdul Manan (Pk) 11.14s, 2 Syazwan Syafik Mat Rizan (Ked) 11.22, 3 Badrul Hisyam Abdul Manap (Mal) 11.32;

1,500m: 1 Putra Azrul Syazwan Azman (Sel) 4:17.35s, 2 Ahmad Muhammad Hamizan (NS) 4:19.47, 3 Lim Aun Hui (Ked) 4:20.25;

Javelin: 1 Shafizie Hasnol (Mal) 47.17m, 2 Izzulhaziq Ahmad (Sar) 47.13, 3 Nurulharithulfariz Safpaafi (Joh) 46.75;

Under-12 100m: 1 Jordan Vestly Yusia (Sar) 12.37s, 2 Nasip Zain (Sab) 12.37, 3 Firdauz Rahim (Sab) 12.38;

Girls' Open Hammer: 1 Linda Tan (Pk) 40.27m, 2 Tiong Mee Yien (Sar) 37.31, 3 Nurshafina Hasnol (Mal) 36.22;

Pentathlon: 1 Ramiza Syakri (Joh) 2,702 pts, 2 Asfarina Jitwil (Sar) 2,545, 3 Noor Azlinda Zolhaimi (Ked) 2,315.

Under-18 100m: 1 Stefbilce Sandy Stephen (Sab) 12.37s, 2 Syarifah Syatrah Razali (Kel) 12.47, 3 Fathin Faqihah Yusuf (Sab) 12.49;

1,500m: 1 Nik Norzilawati Nik Wil (Kel) 4:53.83s, 2 Nor Hidayah Ahmad (Ked) 5:07.86, 3 A. Previna (Pah) 5:13.58;

Triple jump: 1 Michelle Mangin (Sar) 11.14m, 2 Erlyisiana Jhatty (Sar) 11.02, 3 Goh Sher Qing (KL) 10.70;

High jump: 1 M. Shandyiani (Sel) 1.72m (MR), 2 Puteri Nur Liyana Meggat Abd Hajat (Kel) 1.67, 2 Yap Sean Yee (KL) 1.67;

Under-15 100m: 1 R. Kirthana (Pk) 12.69s, 2 Nor Ashikin Isa (Ked) 12.74, 3 Tham Yi Yin (KL) 12.87;

1,500m: 1 Cheong Han Yi (Sel) 5:16.13s, 2 Savinder Kaur (Sel) 5:19.90, 3 Hasnur-Rabihah Hassan (Kel) 5:20.49;

Under-12 100m: 1 Victoria Douglas (Joh) 13.48s, 2 Lim Hui Ni (Pk) 13.51, 3 Hee Xiao Yi (Sel) 13.62;

High jump: 1 Shannon Ngui Shan (Sar) 1.39m, 2 M. Batmeswary (Pk) 1.35, 3 Ho Yu Fei (Joh) 1.30.
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