KUALA LUMPUR: There are hardly any middle or long-distance women runners in Malaysia.
In the 1990s, P. Jayanthi used to dominate middle and long-distance events. Surprisingly, she still holds three national records — 1,500m (4:23.49s), 3,000m (9:18.42) and 10,000m (33:50.80).
Josephine Mary was another quality runner, and the now-retired athlete still holds the national 800m record of 2:07.44, set in 1986.
They have long retired with no able replacements yet to surface. However, there is hope.
Selangor's B. Rammiyah, who started her athletics career four years ago, is the one to watch.
Rammiyah first grabbed attention when she clocked a personal best of 12:20.04 to win the 3,000m steeplechase gold medal at the Malaysian Closed in Bukit Jalil last year.
In the Malaysian Open in Bukit Jalil in March, she bagged silver in the 5,000m by clocking 19:25.25.
Rammiyah, an IT diploma student of the Hulu Langat Community College, aims to break the 11-year national record of her idol, Melinder Kaur (10:55.31) one day.
"Melinder is my idol, and I hope to follow in her footsteps. I have to improve my PB by more than a minute to break her record.
"I am focused on it as my dream is to represent Malaysia in the Sea Games.
Rammiyah will compete in the steeplechase (Sept 16), 5,000m (Sept 17) and 1,500m (Sept18) events at this week's Malaysia Games in Kuala Lumpur.
She said her target is to win a medal and set a new PB in the steeplechase event.
"I also have a chance to finish on the podium in the 5,000m. It will be good for my future in athletics if I can win two medals in the Games," she added.