KUALA LUMPUR: Russel Alexander Nasir Taib smashed the 200m national record at the Queensland Track Classic in Brisbane, Australia on Saturday.
The 21-year-old clocked 20.77s to erase Khairul Hafiz Jantan’s national record of 20.90s set at the 2017 Malaysian Open.
He won a silver for his record-breaking performance, finishing behind Japan's gold medallist Kei Takase (20.75s).
Malaysian Athletics Federation (MAF) president Datuk Karim Ibrahim said Russel will receive RM21,000 for his feat.
“He will receive RM1,000 for setting a new national record and another RM20,000 from the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) as an incentive,” said Karim, adding that Russel trains in Australia.
In the triple jump event, Muhd Hakimi Ismail took the gold with a jump of 16.47m.
In the high jump event, Lee Hup Wei won the bronze on 2.20 metres.