PHNOM PENH: Failure to clear two jumps in the first attempt cost national pole vaulter Nor Sarah Adi dearly in her bid to defend the gold at the 2023 SEA Games here, yesterday.
Despite sharing a record of 4.05 metres (m) with Chonthicha Khabut, the Thai athlete finished flawlessly to earn the gold on the third day of the athletics competition at the Morodok Techo National Stadium, yesterday.
Nor Sarah failed to pass in the first attempt at the height of 3.85m and 3.90m respectively, while Chonthicha was able to complete all her jumps on the first attempt.
Each participant is allowed three attempts at each height.
Although she did not manage to retain the gold, Nor Sarah was still happy to be able to improve on her personal record of 4m in her debut at the 2021 SEA Games in Hanoi, Vietnam.
“Twice my jumps were disqualified, even though the final record (4.05m) was the same, but the jury found the Thai athlete’s jumps to be cleaner,” said Nor Sarah to reporters, here.
Interestingly, Nor Sarah said she had just returned to training on Tuesday (May 9) and started jumping yesterday after suffering a ligament injury on her right leg two weeks ago.
“I did not train for two weeks as I focussed on recovery, but still managed to record my personal best. I thought I wouldn’t be able to jump due to a torn ligament, but I still competed, I didn’t feel any pain and I had bandaged the injured part,” she said.
The 22-year-old athlete also expressed her gratitude to the National Sports Institute for the assistance rendered for her to be able to perform at the biennial sports event.
Meanwhile, national women’s discus thrower, Queenie Ting Kung Ni also settled for silver with a throw of 50.73m.
Subenrat Insaeng defended the gold with a throw of 57.69m while Vietnam’s Thi Cam Lung De picked up the bronze (45.08m).
Queenie said it was indeed difficult to challenge the Thai athlete who had participated in the 2016 and 2020 Olympic Games, and was satisfied with the silver medal she won yesterday, a similar feat she achieved in the last edition in Hanoi. – BERNAMA
