Loo Kum Zee wins High Jump at 2003 SEA Games (© Steve Bai)
Hanoi, VietnamTo win any international title is not easy. To defend it is even harder. To defend again and again becomes even more demanding, which is why Malaysia’s Loo Kum Zee is easily one of the most respected athletes in South East Asia.
Coming to the SEA Games here in Vietnam as a four-time champion (1995, 1997, 1999, 2001) in the men’s High Jump, his goal was clear – to defend his title for “perhaps one last time”.
He did just that on Day 2 of the track and field competition at the My Dinh National Stadium in Hanoi, clearing 2.15m to clinch the High Jump gold. This put him ahead of team mate Ahmad Najwan Aqra and Vietnam’s Nguyen Duy Bang, who both cleared 2.10m to share the silver medal.
While Loo may not be in the kind of form that saw him clear 2.20m consistently in the past, he still has what coaches here call “the killer instinct”, the sort of mentality that just refuses to accept defeat. He always seems to deliver best under pressure, and this is what occurred today. When pushed by his opponents, he brought out the best in himself to remain unbeatable.
Loo’s feat is all the more inspiring as he was jumping despite a less than ideal build up to the competition, as prior to the Games there was talk that he may be out of Malaysia’s team due to some personal problems which had to be sorted out. But he turned up and gave his all.
Asked how he seems to always deliver when it matters most, Loo, an Asian Games bronze medallist said modestly, “I guess I am the sort that handles pressure well. But this may be simply because I am rather laid back as a person. If you look at it negatively, you can even say I don’t plan too much. That means I don’t stress myself. When the competition gets close, this kind of mind-set may be advantageous.”
Du settles for silver in women’s Discus
Adding more weight to the “Old Is Golden” theme was Thailand’s Nattapon Namkunha. Another defending champion, he took the Triple Jump with his effort of 15.76m. Indonesia’s Sugeng Jatmiko (15.33m) took the silver, ahead of bronze medallist Joebert Delicano of the Philippines (15.11m)
Yet another “oldie” who shone was Eduardo Buenavista of the Philippines. He won the men’s 10,000m in 29:19.62. Thailand’s Boonthung Srisung (29:40.28) and Myanmar’s Aung Thu Ya (29:49.63) took the silver and bronze respectively.
The Philippines had another cause to celebrate when Rene Herrera clinched the gold in the men’s 3000m Steeplechase with his effort of 8:50.78. Thailand’s Jirasak Suthichat (8:52.47) was second while Vietnam’s Nguyen Kien Trung (8:52.53) came in third.
Singapore showed its new-found power in the throws again when Zhang Guirong took the women’s Discus gold with a distance of 49.91m. Team mate Du Xianhui (49.10m), who edged her out for gold in the Shot Put yesterday (Dec 7), had to settle for second best this time. Thailand’s Juthaporn Krasaeyan ( 48.81m) clinched the bronze.
Roberts is on song
Hot favourite Trecia Roberts of Thailand clocked 13.45 secs in the women's 100m hurdles, Though not satisfied with her time, the Thai-American, who holds the SEA Games record of 12.85 seconds,was glad to be able to win her third straight title in this event.
Other winners included Thailand's Suphan Wongsriphuck (men's 110m Hurdles in 13.92) and Candelario Ernie of the Philippines (men's 400m in 47.06) as well as his team mate John Lozada (men's 1500m in 3:56.80).
Vietnam's women produced a series of victories via Nguyen Thi Tinh (400m in 51.83), Nguyen Lan Anh (1500m in 4:19.48), Nguyen Thi Thu Cuc (Heptathlon with 5274 points) and Doan Nu Truc Van (10,000m in 34:48.28).
Amidst the general domination of the Thais and the re-emergence of the Filipinos, Vietnamese fans have rightly taken much pride in their athletes’ performances. While they have yet to threaten Thailand seriously across the board in athletics, they are increasingly a force to be reckoned with. Plus, beyond track & field, across all sports at these Games, they – as their happy fans will testify - have already surged ahead, clearly leading in the overall medal tally.
NB. Tuesday 9 December is a rest day in Athletics, competition will resume on Wednesday.
