GOLD COAST: Khairul Hafiz Jantan may be the fastest man in Southeast Asia, but even the exalted presence of Usain Bolt, the fastest man in history, failed to inspire the Malaysian.
In fact, Khairul seemed overawed by the occasion where Bolt’s Jamaican compatriot, Yohan Blake, who had clocked the second fastest time ever by a human, is the hot favourite in the men’s 100m today.
In the first-round heats at the Carrara Stadium yesterday, Khairul could only manage a mediocre 10.50s, which was even far from his national record of 10.18s.
"I just don’t know why. Perhaps a loss of focus upon seeing my rivals, furthermore a false start did interrupt my running,” said Khairul.
Starting in the second lane, the Malaysian speed demon, popularly known as “The Speedy Jantan”, began quite well but he fell behind in the last 50m and finished fourth in his heat.
Khairul finished behind Australia's Trae Williams (10.28s) and Kenya's Mark Otieno Odhiambo (10.35s) in the race for the two automatic spots of Heat Nine.
Bolt yesterday told Blake to win the 100m gold, and not to go back to Jamaica if he failed in his mission.
Former world champion Blake yesterday sailed into the final of the 100m after qualifying fastest with a time of 10.06s.