PETALING JAYA: Fresh off breaking the national indoor record in Tianjin, Mohd Armin Zahryl Abdul Latif says the mark is only the beginning as he builds towards an even faster outdoor season.
The 21-year-old delivered Malaysia’s standout moment at the Asian Indoor Championships at the Tuanbo Sports Centre, clocking 7.89s in the men’s 60m hurdles final to finish seventh overall.
He had earlier qualified for the final by finishing third in his heats with a solid 7.88s, breaking the national record. of 7.91s set by Mohd Faiz Mohamed at the 2006 Asian Championships.
Liu Junxi of China won the gold in 7.53s.
"I’m happy with the record, but this is still early in the season," said Armin.
"Indoor competitions are important for sharpening form. My focus now is the outdoor season. I know I can run faster.
"The aim is to keep improving and challenge myself against the best."
Armin is hoping to erase the 110m hurdles national record of 13.44s set by Rayzam Shah Wan Sofian.
His best time was 13.85s posted in the Asian Track and Field Championships in Gumi, South Korea last year.
The SEA Games bronze medallist in the 110m hurdles competes without a national athlete allowance, relying instead on support from the Terengganu State Sports Council and the Malaysia Civil Defence Force (APM).
He also lives with and supports his mother, to whom he had dedicated his SEA Games medal last year.
Meanwhile, triple jumper Andre Anura Anuar finished seventh in the men’s final with a best leap of 15.15m.
China swept the top three positions in the event with Su Wen taking the gold with a jump of 16.55m.
