NEGRI Sembilan’s T. Dhiban Raj and K Eswaran continued their impressive outing in the Junior Development Programme walk circuit at the Kampong Pandan Sports Complex recently.

Both won their respective events in the third and final leg of the walk organised by the Race Walkers Association of Malaysia (RWAM).

Eswaran won the gold medal in the boys’ Under-15 age group. He completed the 2,800m walk event in an impressive time of 14:42. S. Puwaneswaran was second in 15:35 while R. Perimbakumar was third in 15:36.

Dhiban, who has been dominating the Under-18 age group competitions this year, showed his progress by winning the gold medal in the 4,800m event. He clocked 24:47 to finish ahead of B. Anubarathi (25:50) and Syed Ibrahim Sulaiman (27:36).

The RWAM deputy president Khoo Chong Beng said they were happy with the response for the circuit. “The circuit had provided a platform for juniors to gain exposure. We hope to see these juniors continue being active in race walking. The RWAM will be organising the circuit again next year,’’ said Khoo.

Meanwhile the RWAM will be organising the Putrajaya International 12-Hour walk at Dataran Putrajaya on Dec 12-13. The event, held for the second time, has six categories — individual men and women, men and women 50km and men and women 70km — will start at 10pm on Dec 12. Last year, about 500 participants, including several foreign professionals, took part in the 12-Hour walk. This year, the RWAM are expecting about 800 participants.

RESULTS

Boys

Under-12 (1,200m): 1. Amirudin Syah Ahmad Rushdi 7:27; 2. Kamarul Aiman Shariffuddin 7:28; 3. Lokman Lim 7:40

Under-15 (2,800m): 1. K. Eswaran 14:42; 2. S. Puwaneswaran 15:35; 3. R. Perinbakumar 15:36

Under-18 (4,800m): 1. T. Dhiban Raj 24:47; 2. B.Anubarathi 25:50; 3. Syed Ibrahim Sulaiman 27:36.

Girls

Under-12 (1,200m): 1. Aina Fadhlin Syahmina Abas 8:29; 2. Nur Fadhilah 8:45; 3. Voon Jo Lin 9:35

Under-15 (2,800m): Elana Goh 18:52; 2. P. Loshene 19:01; 3. A. Premila 20:35

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The Race Walkers Association of Malaysia (RWAM) is convinced that it is on the right track towards grooming walkers for the country.

The RWAM initiated a three-leg walk circuit this year. The first leg was held on March 22 while the second leg was at the National Sports Council (NSC) Training Centre in Bukit Jalil on July 5. The third leg, to decide the overall champions in the eight categories, will be on Oct 4.

The RWAM deputy president, Khoo Chong Beng said they were impressed with the participants’ progress in the second leg.

“The walkers clocked faster times in their respective events. The results reflect the progress the walkers have made since the first leg in March. We expect to perform better in the third leg,’’ said Khoo, who also served as the chief judge in the second leg.

Negri Sembilan’s T. Dhiban Raj was one of the impressive walkers in the second leg. Dhiban, winner of the boys’ Under-18 10,000m walk in Milo-Malaysian Schools Sports Council (MSSM) championships in May, was involved in an intense battle with Muhammad Khairk Marith in the boys’ Under-18 2,800m walk.

But Dhiban, who trains under former SEA Games gold medallist R. Morgan, crossed the finishing line in 12:48 to win the gold medal. Muhammad Khairk settled for the silver in 13:00 while the bronze medal went to B. Anubarati in 15:01.

Khoo, who had represented Malaysia in the Asian Games and Commonwealth Games, said the walkers should continue to train under their respective coaches.

“Our walkers have all the chances to win medals in the SEA Games and Asian Games. But they have to train diligently with commitment. Looking at the young walkers, we should be able to groom them for the future,’’ said Khoo.

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IT was yet another triumphant outing for Belgium’s Alexander Vandenhoek and Hong Kong’s Kwok Chik Ha in the 12-Hour Walk held in Putrajaya recently.

Vandenhock defended his men’s Open title in the championships while Kwok was the winner in the women’s category.

It was a close battle for Vandenhock in the men’s category as Malaysia’s R. Thevendra and Ghana’s John Senanu Segbe were in an uncompromising mood and gave the defending champion some anxious moments.

But Vandenhock, with experience on his side, completed 94km within 12 hours to walk away with the title.

Thevendra and Segbe completed 91km each but the Malaysian finished in a faster time and was declared the runner-up.

 

They did it: The winners posing for a group photo after the prize presentation ceremony.

Kwok, who was the winner in the women’s event last year in Penang, was in fine form and completed 83km in 12 hours.

Teammate So Kit Sum was second with 74km while Malaysia’s Lim Siew Lean was third on 71km.

Malaysia veteran walker B. Thirukumaran was the winner in the men’s 50km event, introduced this year. The former international clocked 5’ 29:52 to finish ahead of Thevendra (6’03:24) and Bill Purves (6’47:43).

In the women’s category, Kwok and So made it a 1-2 for Hong Kong. Kwok clocked 6’53:14 while So was timed 7’46:31 while Malaysia’s Teo Ah Liew was third on 8’09:42.

The organisers, Race Walkers Asso-ciation of Malaysia (RWAM), had introduced the 50km event to provide Malaysians the chance to prepare for the 2010 Commonwealth Games in New Delhi.

However organising secretary Khoo Chong Beng, a former international, said the times recorded by the participants in the 50km event was far from impressive.

“We have to initiate more training programmes and competitions for our Malaysian participants. The RWAM is keen to organise more 50km walk events,’’ said Khoo.

RWAM president Datuk Eddy Chen and Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) secretary Datuk Sieh Kok Chi gave away the prizes to the winners.

Chen said they were happy with the response which surpassed their target of 350 participants. “A total of 508 participants had registered for the event and 448 completed the 12-hour walk. We will look into ways to make the 12-hour walk more interesting in the coming years,’’ said Chen.

Results

Men 12-Hour:

1. Alexander Vandenhoek 94km;

2. R. Thevendra 91km;

3. John Senanu Segbe 91km

Men 50km:

1. B. Thirukumaran 5’ 29:52;

2. R. Thevendra 6’03:24;

3. Bill Purves 6’47:43

Women 12-Hour:

1. Kwok Chik Ha 83km;

2. So Kit Sum 74km;

3. Lim Siew Lean 71km

Women 50km:

1. Kwok Chik Ha 6’53:14;

2. So Kit Sum 7’46:31;

3. Teo Ah Liew 8’09:42.

BELGIUM’S Alexander Venderhock and Hong Kong’s Kwok Chik Ha, the men’s and women’s defending champions, have confirmed their participation in the 12-Hour walk to be held in Putrajaya on Dec 13 and 14.

Venderhock and Kwok were the champions in last year’s event held in Penang. But this year, the organisers — the Race Walkers Association of Malaysia (RWAM) — have opted to stage the event in Putrajaya.

The walk, starting at 8pm on Dec 13, will have two categories and there will be cash prizes for the top 30 who finish in each category.

The organisers have also included a 50km event for both men and women.

Organising secretary Khoo Chong Beng said response had been overwhelming and they had to stop accepting entries.

“Our initial target was about 300 participants but now almost 500 had signed up for the event.

“We are also pleased with the confirmation by the defending champions. Their presence will certainly make the event an exciting affair. It will be interesting if they can continue their winning streak in the event,” Khoo said.

The 50km walk has been included in the event to encourage local participants to prepare for the 2010 Commonwealth Games in New Delhi.

Seasoned walkers B. Thirukumaran and R. Thevandra will be making an attempt to qualify for the Commonwealth Games.

Thevandra, a university student, said he was keen to make an impact in the 50km walk.

“I am determined to clock an impressive time. This is the first time I am taking part in the 50km walk. I have been spending a lot of time on training and I am confident of setting a good time,” the 26-year-old said.

RWAM president Datuk Eddy Chen said they had received encouraging response from foreign participants.

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FORMER international walker Jagjit Singh shared his experiences with students from the SMK Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah in Kajang during a coaching clinic recently.

About 50 students attended the half-day coaching clinic, initiated by the Race Walkers Association of Malaysia (RWAM), in conjunction with the 12-hour walk to be held in Putrajaya on Dec 13 and14.

Jagjit said he was pleased with the encouraging response from the students.

“Many of them were first timers and took some time to adapt to the techniques. But they were prepared to go through the drills.

“We hope to see the students continue the training with their teachers. We have also requested the school teachers to help the students with weekly training sessions,’’ Jagjit said.

Another former international, Khoo Chong Beng, was also present to give some pointers to the students.

Khoo, who had represented Malaysia at the SEA Games, Asian Games and Commonwealth Games, said Malaysians had the physique to excel in walking events.

“We have to nurture them from young. We are going to the schools to encourage students to be active in walking events,’’ Khoo said.

Jagjit said he would be visiting the SMK SAAS regularly to monitor the students’ training programme.

“There are a lot of promising students with potential. With proper guidance, they will be able to progress in the walking events,’’ he said.

Meanwhile, the RWAM has received encouraging response for the 12-hour walk, being held for the fifth consecutive year. The past four editions were in Penang. This year, the RWAM has teamed up with Putrajaya Holdings and the Federal Territory Amateur Athletics Association (FTAAA) for the event to be held in Putrajaya.

Khoo said about 250 participants had registered for the 12-hour walk.

“We are expecting about 300 participants. We have also included a 50km event for both men and women.

“The reason is to give our local walkers a chance to get prepared for the 2010 Asian Games and Commonwealth Games,’’ said Khoo.

For more information on the 12-hour walk, visit racewalkermalaysia.synthasite.com or email whyap@metrok.com.my.

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FOR the first time in five years, the 12-hour walk, organised by the Race Walkers Association of Malaysia (RWAM), will be held in Putrajaya on Dec 13 and 14.

The last four editions of the 12-hour walk was held in Penang. But this year, for a change, the RWAM has opted to stage the event, the Putrajaya International 12-Hour Walk, in Putrajaya.

RWAM president Datuk Eddy Chen said the last four editions of the event were successful.

“Now we are keen to promote the event in other states as well. We felt Putrajaya will be an interesting venue for the 12-Hour Walk. We have received encouraging response from our partners Putrajaya Holdings and the Federal Territory Amateur Athletics Association.

“We have also got in touch with our overseas contacts to promote the event,’’ said Chen.

The organisers are expecting about 300 participants to be part of the event. They have already received confirmation from participants in Hong Kong, Singapore, Spain, the Philippines and Belgium.

Chen said they were expecting about 85% of participants to be locals.

The 12-Hour Walk will have two categories - men and women - and there will be cash prizes for the top 30 who finish in each category.

The organisers have also included a 50km event for both men and women in the 12-Hour Walk.

Chen said the 50km walk for men was to prepare Malaysian walkers for the 2010 Common-wealth Games in New Delhi.

“Our initial plan was to have the 50km walk for men only. But several women were also game for the challenge. Our main aim is to provide a platform for Malaysian walkers to prepare for the Commonwealth Games,’’ said Chen.

In the 1998 Commonwealth Games in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia won the gold medal in the 50km walk through G. Saravanan.

Chen said Saravanan had proved that Malaysians had the talent to match their rivals in the Commonwealth Games.

“We did not have any representatives in the 2002 and 2006 Commonwealth Games. We hope to see a Malaysian starting the event in New Delhi,’’ added Chen.

For more information visit racewalkermalaysia.synthasite.com/ or e-mail whyap@metrok.com.my.