The 2017 SEA Games may witness history in the making as three of Malaysia’s high jump athlete are in contention of making a clean sweep of the medals at Kuala Lumpur.
According to the rules, the hosts are allowed to enter three names in the high jump event, and chances are looking bright for Malaysia based on the list of athletes being prepared.
One of them is Lee Hup Wei, who have been struggling with injuries, but is determined to be back to his best as the current national record holder in the event after his 2.27m jump in the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
Hup Wei will be joined by fellow teammates – Nauraj Singh, gold medalist at the Myanmar and Singapore SEA Games and Muhammed Ashraf Saipu Rahman, who won the bronze in Singapore.
“The presence of more athletes in this event has not dampened my hopes, as I’m back with the guidance of a coach (Alim Ahmejanov) this time,” said Hup Wei.
“After many surgeries, I’m now free from injuries and looking forward to give it my best.”
“I have to work harder to gain a spot in the Rio Olympics. I have to reach 2.29m, and this year I have recorded a 2.17m jump, which is a positive approach,” he told Harian Metro.
Hup Wei still remains a proud athlete for Malaysia, with gold medals in the 2007 Thailand SEA Games, Laos (2009), Indonesia (2011) and in the Asian Athletics Championships in 2007.
Other posts by Tharshanan Manoharan
