BIRMINGHAM: Despite not making any impact, discus thrower Irfan Shamsuddin is pleased with his performance at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.
The Hanoi Sea Games champion finished ninth out of 12 athletes in the final with a throw of 59.53m at the Alexander Stadium on Thursday. In the qualifiers, the 27-year-old recorded 57.93 to finish 10th for a spot in the final.
"I am satisfied with the result. I have given it my best, and I enjoyed my game," said Irfan, a Podium Programme athlete, who trains in the Czech Republic.
"I do not want to be sad for not finishing top eight, which was my target. However, I achieved the National Sports Council's target of reaching the final."
It was Irfan's third Commonwealth outing after Glasgow 2014 and Gold Coast 2018.
Australian Matthew Denny won gold with a throw of 67.62m, followed by England's Lawrence Okoye (64.99m) and Jamaica's Traves Smikle (64.58m).
However, Irfan's mark was better than his Sea Games-winning score of 58.26 in May.
"I think the quality of athletes today was stronger than the Gold Coast edition. It was far more competitive and way better. Everyone here prepared well for the event.
"Although my personal best is 62.55m, I am OK with today's throw.
"I would be sad had I recorded 54 or 55 metres. In the Commonwealth Games, an athlete must throw beyond 56 metres to reach the final.
"Based on today's mark of 59.53, I would be eighth in the Glasgow 2014 and fifth or sixth in Gold Coast."
Irfan will head to Turkey next week for the Islamic Solidarity Games.