KUALA LUMPUR: Sprinter Arsyad Saat is taking a year's break from his university studies to focus on the Phnom Penh Sea Games and Hangzhou Asian Games next year.
The 20-year-old from Johor registered for a Physical Education degree at Universiti Putra Malaysia last month.
Arsyad, who won the 100m silver and 200m gold in the Malaysia Games in September, said: "After enrolling for studies, I decided to take a one-year break to focus on the two Games.
"My athletics career is more important now as I have seven years to complete my studies.
"I have qualified for the Sea Games 100m but I have yet to earn a place for the Asian Games," said Arsyad, who recorded a personal best of 10.46s in the Malaysia Games to surpass the Sea Games 100m qualifying mark of 10.56.
Arsyad, who has a PB of 20.95 in the 200m, needs to surpass 20.77 to qualify for the Phnom Penh Sea Games. The 100m qualifying mark for the Asian Games is 10.19.
Arsyad said he was pleased with his performance in the Malaysia Games as he won the 200m gold and 100m silver.
Arsyad made his Sea Games debut in Hanoi in May and clocked 10.69 to finish sixth in the 100m final.
Now, he hopes to make an impact in next year's Sea Games where he will feature in three events: 100m, 200m and 4x100m.
"I trained last month under national sprints coach Poad (Kassim) in Cameron Highlands for two weeks and now I am in Kuala Terengganu to train for two weeks before returning to compete in my first Innotex Athletics meet in Bukit Jalil from Dec 2-4.
"This is my last competition for the year, and I hope to clock a decent time to finish on the podium."