HANGZHOU: Malaysian athletics returned to the Asian Games podium for the first time since the 2006 Doha edition with three bronze medals to show in Hangzhou.
The medals were won by Azeem Fahmi (men's 100m), Shereen Samson Vallabouy (women's 400m) and the women's 4x100m quartet (Azreen Nabila Alias, Zaidatul Husniah Zulkifli, Nur Afrina Batrisyia and Shereen).
This signifies that Malaysian athletics are on the right track to reclaim their past glory.
However, more was expected from the field athletes.
Jackie Wong and Grace Wong underperformed in the men's and women's hammer events, while Andre Anura failed to challenge the favourites in the men's long and triple jump events.
Pole vaulter Nor Sarah Adi recorded no successful jumps in the women's event, which was an embarrassment to the Malaysian contingent.
Discus thrower Irfan Shamsuddin could only finish sixth in the men's event with a throw of 58.94m. Compatriot Queenie Ting finished seventh in the eight-competitor women's discus event after recording a distance of 49.00.
Higher jumper Norliyana Kamaruddin was disappointed with her performance, managing only 1.65m in the women's event. She had achieved 1.75m during the Asian Championships in July.
"It is my worst performance of the season. I tried to find my rhythm during the event but couldn't get it.
"Physically and mentally, I have lost it. Perhaps I need a break to regroup," said Norliyana.
