CHRISTCHURCH: Burly Irfan Shamsuddin produced a season best of 58.06 metres in the men's discus to finish sixth in an international track meet in Christchurch, New Zealand, today.
However, the Negri Sembilan athlete, who won bronze in the Asian Championships in Bangkok last year, was way off his national record of 62.55m.
Triple jumper Andre Anura Anuar also did a season best of 15.81m to finish sixth in Christchurch.
But the two-time Sea Games champion's clearance was far off his personal best of 16.51m.
The Christchurch meet was the third competition for the duo to get points to qualify for the Paris Olympics.
In the Adelaide Invitational Championships on Feb 10, Irfan did 57.15m (sixth placing) while Andre did 15.79m (fifth placing).
In the Maurie Plant Athletics meet in Melbourne on Feb 16, Irfan recorded 56.20m (seventh placing) and Andre posted 15.78m (fifth placing).
Malaysian Athletics Federation technical director John Ballard said after the three competitions, Irfan had moved up from 52nd position to 29th on the road to Paris Olympics while Andre has dropped out of the top 32 rankings.
"However, once the outdoor competitions begin in Europe next month, Irfan will drop out of the top 32.
"Irfan and Andre's last hopes of qualifying for the Olympics will depend on their performance in the Malaysian Open from June 14-16.
"Irfan will also compete in the Asian Throwing Championships in Mokpo, South Korea, at the end of June.
"The duo need to break the national records to qualify for the Olympics," said the Australian.