K. Prabudass, a middle-distance runner, has already qualified for two Sea Games events and will be gunning for a third at this weekend’s Malaysia Open Athletics Championships in Bukit Jalill.
The Seremban native qualified for the marathon and 1,500m events after clocking 2:26:39s (marathon) and 3:55.59 (1,500m) to win the gold medal in last week’s Perak All-Comers event.
The qualifying times for the Vietnam Sea Games (May 12-23) are 2:33:08 for the marathon and 4:08.90 for the triathlon (1,500m).
However, with only a week to prepare for the competition, he now faces an uphill task to meet the qualification time of 14:34.73 in the 5,000m.
“It is tough for athletes to qualify for the Sea Games as there are not many competitions due to Covid-19,” said Prabudass.
“Honestly, I am surprised that I made the Sea Games cut for the 1,500m event as it was my first race since 2019.
“Although the 5,000m is my pet event, it will be tough to qualify. It is hard to condition your body for back-to-back competitions.
“It will be tricky, but I am determined to qualify for my third Sea Games event. The Vietnam Sea Games will be my third outing.”
In the Kuala Lumpur edition, he ran 14:57.43 for silver.
Silver medalist Ahmad Lut Hamizan (4:01.90) and M. Sanjay (4:03.96) from the All-Comers competition both reached the Sea Games cut for the 1,500m event.
At the same meet, sprinter Arsyad Md Saat set a new personal best in the 100m with a time of 10.48 seconds.
