Khairul Hafiz Jantan – the newly-crowned fastest man in South East Asia – has earned accolades from the man who was beaten into second place and he is none other than 2015 SEA Games gold medallist Eric Shauwn Cray from the Philipppines.
“He (khairul) deserves the gold and the title as the fastest man in South East Asia. I gave my best and that is all iIcould do now. I was tired after the 400m win. I needed at least two hours solid rest for the 100m,” said Cray.
Khairul lighted up the stadium with his strong stride to the finish and even though he tumbled and fell., he was up in a second in sheer jubilation.
Finding his breath, the Melaka-born lad went down on his knees to kiss the track. He later hugged his coach.
Among the VIPs were the Prime Minister YAB Dato’ Sri Najib Tun Abdul Razak, the Sultan of Selangor, HRH Tuanku Sharafuddin Idris Shah and YB Brig Gen Khairy Jamaluddin, the Minister for Youth and Sports.
“This medal is for Malaysia, the people of Malaysia, my parents and my coaches and those who made it possible,” said Khairul Hafiz afterwards.
“No words can describe my happiness to win this gold for my country after a long long absence. There is only so much you can do in training but The Almighty decides and bless you for your achievements.
“In the Asian meet in New Delhi I cried when I was wrongly disqualified for a false start but  here, it is tears of joy. I call on the people of Malaysia to pray for me in the 200m and the 4x100m relay. I strongly believe I can achieve a triple.”
Cray took the silver while Thailand’s Kritsada Namsuwun the bronze. Both were timed at 10.43.
Earlier, Zaidatul Husniah Zulkifli could only manage the bronze in the women’s 100m.
Zaidatul’s time was 11.74 against 11.56 by gold medal winner Le Tu Chinh of Vietnam.
Veronica Shanti Pereira of Singapore took the bronze in 11.76.
