‘Iron Man’ Hanapiah, a jewel of athletics, breathes his last

PETALING JAYA: “Iron Man” Hanapiah Nasir (pic), considered Malaysia’s best decathlete and top all-rounder in athletics, passed away yesterday due to illness. He was 65.

A well respected figure in the athletics circle, Hanapiah won the decathlon, the most gruelling event in the sport, in Manila 1981 and in Singapore 1983 where his total of 6,698 points was the SEA Games record in that edition.