National shot putter Nani Sahirah Maryata says her SEA Games gold and national record is the high point of her year, fuelling her Commonwealth Games ambition.
NATIONAL women’s shot putter Nani Sahirah Maryata described her gold medal victory at the SEA Games as a high point in her sports career.
Her winning throw of 16.38 metres also smashed the national record.
The achievement was very meaningful after a year of less-than-sterling performances, including at the World University Games in Germany.
“This is like a gift for myself as I’ve lost a lot in major championships,” she said at Suphachalasai Stadium.
“At WUG and in Mokpo, South Korea, I only managed 14 m, only at the Asian Athletics Championship did I manage 15.06 m.”
She added that she did not have high hopes and only wanted to do better.
“This is the first time I’ve done 16 m, so this is a very huge surprise,” Nani Sahirah stated.
Her throw broke her own national record of 15.39 m set at the Perlis Open last year.
She beat Thailand’s Areerat Intadis (16.04 m) and Vietnam’s Huyen Thi Kim (15.92 m) for the gold.
Nani Sahirah revealed she was determined not to waste her last opportunity this year.
She fought against pain in her hand during the competition, feeling unburdened as she was not a gold medal prospect.
She now aims to use this win to fuel future endeavours, including at next year’s Commonwealth Games.
“I have the intention of going further,” she added.
“My target is to go to the Commonwealth Games and I need to reach 17 m.”
She identified the Asian Games as a long-term goal with many rivals.
