Pahang’s Sharanraj Bounces Back To Clinch 5,000m Gold

KANGAR: Pahang middle distance runner S. Sharanraj exacted sweet revenge over Tan Wei Heng by bagging the 5,000m gold in the National Schools Athletics Championships (MSSM) at Stadium Utama yesterday.

The Bukit Jalil Sports School student put on a scintillating run to clock 16:13.74 and avenge his defeat to Kedah’s Wei Heng in the 1,500m on Wednesday.

Wei Heng, the defending champion, did not compete this time while for Sharanraj, it was his first attempt at the distance.

Wei Heng thus failed to emulate his triple gold medal feat – in the 800m, 1,500m and 5,000m – in Ipoh last year.

“I’m happy that I got my revenge on Wei Heng after he beat me to the gold by four seconds in the 1,500m final,” said Kuantan lad Sharanraj.

“This is the first time I’m competing in the 5,000m. I decided to join the race as I felt it was an easier event to win.

“I had a relatively easy run without Wei Heng. I got my technique spot-on and only the Perak runner (J. Kaviarasan) troubled me a bit.”

Sharanraj admitted that he was furious after being allegedly pushed by Kaviarasan during the race and that he had wanted to confront the Perak runner after crossing the finish line.

“Maybe I got too emotional ... but pushing and shoving during races is quite normal and it’s not really a big issue,” he said.

The 18-year-old will now seek to defend his 3,000m steeplechase gold tomorrow.

RESULTS

> BOYS

·Under-12

4x100m: 1. Sabah 48.34, 2. Sarawak 48.49, 3. Federal Territories 48.56.

·Under-15

4x100m: 1. Perak 43.20, 2. Sabah 43.42, 3. Johor 44.04.

Triple jump: 1. Mohd Musri Subhan (Mal) 13.78m, 2. Jonathan Tinggang (Sar) 13.78m, 3. Norshafiee Mohd Shah (Joh) 13.05m.

·Under-18

5,000m Open: 1. S. Sharanraj (Pah) 16:13.74, 2. J. Kaviarasan (Per) 16:23.40, 3. Calvin Boon Chung Yik (Pen) 6:28.57.

4x100m: 1. Perak 42.52, 2. Negri Sembilan 42.52, 3. Sarawak 42.54.

Triple jump: 1. Mohd Afiq Akmal Ridzwan (Ked) 14.24m, 2. Mohd Nur Hafiz Ahmad (Joh) 14.15m, 3. Amir Rushaimi Hamidon (Per) 13.80m.

Discus: 1. Tang Zhi Min (FT) 46.77m, 2. Mohd Irfan Shamshuddin (Nse) 45.16m, 3. Mohd Firdaus Jamen (Per) 45.12m.

Hammer Open: 1. Michael Sia Sung Dak (Sar) 61.46m, 2. Lim Chen Theng (Ked) 41.00m, 3. Mohd Amirul Syazwan Mohd Abd Salleh (Per) 38.78m.

> GIRLS

·Under-12

4x100m: 1. Johor 53.47, 2. Perak 53.55, 3. Sarawak 53.61.

·Under-15

4x100m: 1. Sabah 50.79, 2. Sarawak 50.81, 3. Federal Territories 50.99.

·Under-18

3,000m Open: 1. A. Previna (Pah) 11:20.01, 2. Nur Aisyah Ahmat (Sar) 11:24.79, 3. Nur Isma Afini Jumaat (Ter) 11:26.51.

4x100m: Sabah 49.07, 2. Kelantan 49.653, 2. Johor 49.69.

Shot putt: 1. Bibi Nuraishah Ishak (Kel) 10.75m, 2. Choo Kang Ni (Joh) 10.19m, 3. Nur Amiera Fazlin Kamarudin (NS) 9.97m.

Pole vault Open: 1. Valerie Tan Ee Lee (Mal) 3.00m, 2. Norezati Shasha Rusli (Nse) 2.80m, Phang Chun Yun (Sar) 2.50m.

Long jump: 1. Noor Shahidatun Nadia Mohd Zuki (Ked) 5.85m, 2. Stefbilce Sandy Stephen (Sab) 5.40m, 3. Siti Munirah Mohd Issah (Joh) 5.29m.

Javelin: 1. Norfadilah Mohd Zaini (Ked) 37.21m, 2. Nur Aqilah Amran (Per) 34.50m, 3. Grace Lian (Sar) 34.47m.