Khairil out to walk tall by ending Hendro’s reign

Khairil out to walk tall by ending Hendro’s reign

The Star Online - Sport·2019-11-24 00:00

Want to study for an MBA? First understand these
Pack your bags and travel to these weekend getaways from $69!

KUALA LUMPUR: Indonesian Hendro Yap is a three-time SEA Games gold medallist, defending champion and holder of the Games record of 1’32:11 in the men’s 20km walk, set two years ago in Kuala Lumpur. The 29-year-old is again the favourite for a fourth straight gold at the Philippines Games as he is ranked No. 1 in the region. Try telling Mohd Khairil Harith Harun that. The Malaysian is bent on ending Hendro’s dominance in the Games and bringing the gold back to Malaysia. The last Malaysian to win the gold was Lo Choon Sieng in Palembang in 2011 and Hendro, who bagged silver in his debut then, has been unbeatable since. Choon Sieng has retired and Khairil has the credentials to deny Hendro this time around. Khairil clocked 1’32:25 in the Asia Race Walking Championships in Nomi City, Japan, in March to qualify for the SEA Games. The Pasir Panjang-born Khairil topped that after a one-week training-cum-competition stint in Wuzhong district in Suzhou City, China, last month. He clocked a season best of 1’31.33, better than the Games record. And that is not even his personal best yet. That mark is 1’29:38 which he did in a competition in Spain in 2016. The 27-year-old Khairil, who is coached by former international Teoh Boon Lim, said the China stint was a good warm-up for the SEA Games and he hoped for a better timing in his fourth SEA Games. “I have twice won bronze in the last two Games (in Singapore and KL) and hope to do better this time. I am now ranked second in the region based on the time I clocked in China,” said Khairil, who made his debut in the 2013 Myanmar SEA Games but was disqualified for floating. He admits that Hendro will be a tough act to follow. “Hendro has proven he is the walker to beat and once he takes the lead, it is really tough to chase him. “He can walk in both the 20km and 50km events. He competed in the 50km event in the Asian Games in Jakarta last year and did well to finish fifth,” said Khairul.

……

Read full article on The Star Online - Sport

Malaysia Entertainment