Thiru steals the thunder

01/06/1998

NATIONAL walker B. Thirukumaran upset record holder G. Sarawanan in the
50km walk at the Titiwangsa Lake Gardens yesterday.
The Commonwealth Games 50km trials, held by the Kuala Lumpur AAA on
behalf of the Malaysia AAU, saw 16 athletes take part but only four lasted
the distance.
"I took part just to keep fit. The idea was to stop on reaching the 20km
mark but I felt good and continued," said Thirukumaran, a 20km specialist.
He went the distance barefooted and clocked 4:21:09 to beat Sarawanan,
who was timed at 4:27:23. The national record of 4:14:00 was clocked by
Sarawanan when he won the 50km gold at last year's Jakarta Sea Games.
K. Pusparajah was third in 4:28:33 but MAAU will only select two for the
Games.
"I hope to take part in the 20km as well as the 50km walk in the
Commonwealth Games," said Thirukumaran, who did not look the least tired
after the gruelling race.
On the other hand, Sarawanan was so exhausted after the finish that he
had to receive medical attention.
"The last time Thirukumaran took part in the 50km was five years ago, so
the win was a pleasant surprise," said his coach Wang Lin.
Wang said both walkers clocked impressive times. "They could have done
better if not for the heat. During the last 10km, around 11:30am, the sun
was scorching hot and this slowed them."
(END)