Hakimi eyes national record at CWG
Published on: Friday, March 23, 2018
Kuala Lumpur: The country's triple jumper, Muhammad Hakimi Ismail is keen to create a new national record at major sporting events such as the upcoming Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, Australia next month.Muhammad Hakimi, 26, who is the holder of the SEA Games triple jump record, said he wanted to make a difference and to satisfy himself by making a new national record in the championship other than the SEA Games."All of my national records were made at the SEA Games, three times in the SEA Games, so this time I am keen to create a record at other games, and the Commonwealth Games and the Asian Games are to me at higher levels than the SEA Games. It will automatically give me satisfaction.
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"To improve my performance level, not just at the South East Asian level, I need to jump further and to be on par with the Commonwealth (Games) level," he said during a Podium Programme media conference at the National Sports Institute (ISN), Thursday.But, besides intending to break his best jump of 16.77 metres which was also the national record, the Taiping, Perak-born athlete also wanted to win a medal, regardless of colour.According to Muhammad Hakimi, who would be making his first appearance at the Commonwealth Games this time, what was important before starting the action was to ensure he did not experience any injury during training.He said, in terms of preparation, he needed to strengthen his jumping technique to ensure that his intention was achieved.
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Muhammad Hakimi, scheduled to perform on April 12 at the Commonwealth Games, would face fierce challenges from participants from England, India, Bahamas, South Africa and Nigeria."Looking at the records, mine and those of the challengers are just about the same, for example if the difference in the records is just 50 cm, it is not far, there is still a chance for me to overcome the records," he said.
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Meanwhile, Russian coach Victor Sotnikov was confident that Muhammad Hakimi was ready to show his best in the Commonwealth Games as he had shown improvements in his performance."Muhammad Hakimi's performance is getting better, with a lot of positive improvements, and he is at the same level as his competitors, and he himself is ready.Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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