Friday, July 26, 2013

 

Youngster walking towards a Sea Games berth 


RACE walker Mohamad Shamrin Mohd Aris is giving himself two years to shave five minutes off his 20km personal best of 1’39:00 in order to qualify for the 2015 Singapore SEA Games.

The 19-year-old Bukit Jalil Sports School (BJSS) student said he would be focusing on his training in the coming months to improve his techniques.

“I am disappointed that I did not make it to the Myanmar SEA Games in December this year so I am going to work with my coach to improve my timing as I have to achieve a 1’33:00 time to qualify,” said Sham-rin, who is currently undergoing his pre-university studies.

During the first leg of the Federal Territory Athletic Association walk circuit at the Botanical Garden on July 6, he completed the men’s open 10km category with a time of 49:55 with fellow BJSS team mate Mohd Afiz Firdaus Kamarazaman following closely behind with a time of 50:12.

Both walkers also participated in the closed walk circuit in Terengganu last month, and their timing suffered because of the hot weather.

“It was held by the sea and the weather was just too hot and humid,” said Shamrin who only managed a time of 1’58:47 in the 20km walk.

Former national walker Yuan Yufang was also present at the event to monitor the progress of her charges, Elena Goh and Pua Ling En, who joined the women’s open 10km walk.

Yufang said a lot more effort had to go into promoting race walking at the grassroots level because it did not have as big a following as running.

FTKLAA general secretary S. Vegiyathuman said there will be two more circuits in September and October to identify potential athletes.

“We will then conduct clinics to teach them the proper techniques of walking. Even though we do not have that many participants, it is encouraging to see many parents showing up with their children.

“We hope that this will spur the young athletes to take the sport to a higher level,” he said.

http://www.thestar.com.my/News/Community/2013/07/26/Youngster-walking-towards-a-Sea-Games-berth.aspx

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