KUALA LUMPUR: National hammer thrower Sadat Marzuqi Ajisan is determined to break through the 65 metre barrier and earn himself a spot at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games on Sept 19-Oct 4.
The Podium Programme athlete considers this to be a reset year for himself as Malaysia Athletics (MA) – following their recent restructuring – has prepared a more systematic and comprehensive programme for him this season under his new coach Tan Song Hwa.
“My goal for this year is to break my own personal best (60.63m) and hopefully achieve over 65m. That would boost my chances of making the Asian Games,” said Sadat.
“At the moment I am in the process of adapting myself to new techniques and training philosophies from my coach.
“It is a challenge but I am keen to push myself and see how far I can go.”
The 25-year-old is hoping to go on a four month training stint in Algeria this year to raise his game. Algeria has greater expertise in the discipline.
“I need to get exposure abroad. Algeria has better facilities and I hope that by training there, I can achieve peak performance,” he added.
“At the moment I am able to hit 61m to 62m consistently in training. I want to be able to replicate that sort of momentum during competitions.”
Sadat will be able to test himself when he takes to the field at the Malaysia Open Athletics Championships in June, which is set to be his first serious competition this season.
Sadat had won silver at the Thailand SEA Games in December with a 60.15m effort, finishing ahead of his more experienced teammate Jackie Wong who claimed bronze (59.81m).
Thailand’s Kittipong Boonmawan won the gold (63.11m).
Sadat was met during MA’s Ramadan ‘buka puasa’ event in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd