KUCHING: The recent Suksar athletics meet managed to unearth only two potential talents who may not be ready in this year’s Sukma but in a few Sukma Games after the necessary exposure and training development. They include 16-year old sprinter Muhamad Ihsan Wan Hasimi who clocked 11.11s in the 100m and Ruby Lee Jia Lu from Northern Zone who showed glimpses of talent by jumping to a distance of 5.59m in the long jump.
The jump is better than the bronze medal effort achieved by Mendy Goh Li, also from Sarawak, whose jump in the Sukma 2016 held in Sarawak was 5.49m. Ruby also did well to win the 100m sprint when she came first with a time of 13.10s beating Myranda Najja Ak Neil Armstrong who clocked 13.46 secs into second place while Chrisemilna ak Suini from Southern Zone was third in a close 13.46s photo finish.
According to a Sarawak State Sports Council (MSNS) official, Muhamad Ihsan may not be ready this forthcoming Sukma in Perak in September but might make the cut in the next two Sukmas. The SMK Debak Baru student who trains daily at the State stadium under coach Mohd Ali Seruji may make the cut with proper exposure and development. In the 100m event Eward Adau anak Perit from Northern Zone managed second behind Muhd Ihsan with a time of 11.14 secs while Mohd Norhazim Ahmad also from southern zone was third in 11.43s.
Edward Adau also won another silver in the 200m when he finished behind winner Mohd Nur Aidiel Messelan who clocked 22.47s while Edward managed a 23.08s. Anduk Authry ak Chendang from southern zone was third in 23.36s. “He has the potential for a 16- year-old and his time is close to a sub-11 seconds and with more training and exposure he can make it,” said the MSNS official.
The other potentials include the boys high jump surprise winner, Darryn Radin Ak Lubak representing Northern Zone who beat the taller Jerome Chua Yu Chen from Southern Zone with a 1.88m while Jerome and third placed Vincent Lau Yi Jen from Western Zone both cleared 1.85m. Another potential 400m in the women’s category is Chloe Thung Yueh from the Nothern Zone whose time of 62.19s can be developed with more training as she beat Catherine Amban Ak Ausgustine from the Western Zone who clocked 64.94s.
Chloe came in second in the 200m behind Floristhy Loura Ak Paul Loundeily from Southern Zone who clocked 27.51s. With no potential talents in the other events for the forthcoming Sukma, the MSNS official said the athletics officials will be scouting for potential athletes in the MSSM schools meet which will be held at Sarawak Stadium, here, this year.
Among the potential athletes they are looking for are in the javelin where with former Sukma 2016 silver medallist Raphael Asun not eligible for the next Sukma due to age, they may have to look for potential new ones for the event where Sarawak along the recent years have shone with athletes such as Peter Agan or Lau Sie Long.
Sarawak will also be looking for the throw events such as in the men’s shot put, although in the Suksar women’s event winner Kong Hong Ting from Sarikei who threw a creditable 10.36m can also be developed for future Sukma Games.
