Roaring show by Ashikin

A job well done: Nurul Ashikin Abas posing for a photograph after beating her personal best mark in the triple jump.

PETALING JAYA: Nurul Ashikin Abas gave another roaring performance in the Lion City by leaping to her personal best in the triple jump event in the Singapore Open.

The 23-year-old took the gold in the event with a distance of 13.05m at the Singapore Sports Hub, improving on her previous mark of 12.97m, which she had recorded in the Malaysian Open in Kuala Lumpur last year.

It was her second gold in the meet after equalling her personal best of 5.88m in the long jump on Wednesday.

Her double victory bodes well for the Cambodia SEA Games as the national athletics team are looking at ending a 16-year wait for a medal in either the women’s long or triple jump.

The last athlete to do so was Ngew Sin Mei, who won silver in the triple jump with a distance of 13.75m and bronze in the long jump with an attempt of 6.08m in the 2007 Nakhon Ratchashima SEA Games in Thailand.

The Singapore Open will be Ashikin’s final competition before she flies to Cambodia for the SEA Games.

“The training and the preparation is done. Now, getting into the SEA Games competition phase,” said Ashikin.

“Everything is on track. I’m happy with the way I’m shaping up, and most importantly, I’m feeling super fit.

“No injuries as well, so that is good. It feels good to win a double with good distances.

“I’ve recorded my season best in the long jump and rewrote my personal best in triple.

“I will now shift my focus to the SEA Games and work on the programme by coach Mohd Firdaus Salim.

“The outing in Singapore will surely be a stepping stone to perform better.”

Meanwhile, Firdaus said he was not setting any expectations on her.

“The women’s jump events are competitive as best in this region will be there.

“I will be happy if her best translate into something special,” said Firdaus.