KUALA LUMPUR: Record-breaking sprinter Khairul Hafiz Jantan has vowed to treat Malaysian fans to a spectacular show by going even faster at the Kuala Lumpur Sea Games next month.
When Khairul erased Tan Sri Dr M. Jegathesan's 49-year-old 200m national record of 20.92 seconds on Tuesday, only a handful of spectators, comprising mostly fellow athletes, officials and the media, were on hand at the Malaysian Open to witness the historic feat at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil.
But come the Aug 19 start of the Sea Games, Khairul expects that a bigger crowd will gather at the same venue and promised them fireworks.
"Whether it is the 100m or 200m, I know I have it in me to go even faster," said Khairul, who holds the national record of 10.18 seconds in the shorter sprint and 20.90s in the longer version.
"I have always targeted the doctor's (Jegathesan) record and I am grateful that I have done it. But I won't stop here, because I still have room to go faster.
"I am only 19, so I have time to improve. My coach (Poad Kassim) knows my strengths and he says that I have not peaked yet.
"So I am saving my best for the Sea Games and I will try to fulfil the expectations of the Malaysian public," added Khairul when met at the National Sports Complex in Bukit Jalil on Wednesday.
Khairul, whose season's best in the 100m is 10.24 seconds set at the Asian Track and Field Championships in India in early July, is currently the fastest runner in both events in Southeast Asia.
He is expected to be challenged by defending champion Eric Cray of the Philippines in the 100m, while Thailand's Jirapong Meenapra and Trenten Beram of the Philippines are Khairul's main rivals in the 200m.
"I am excited to get a chance to run on home ground and in front of our supporters," said Asian junior champion Khairul, who will be making his Sea Games debut. "The track condition is good and I hope the support of the home crowd will push me to victory."
With Khairul's recent exploits, the Malaysian athletics squad could well win at least eight gold medals, two more than the target set by the Malaysian Athletics Federation.