With Azizul focused on team sprint, Malaysia hope to end gold drought at Asiad
Malaysian Azizulhasni Awang make a willy as he celebrate his victory in the keirin finals men event during the SEA Games in National Velodrome on Tuesday. IZZRAFIQ ALIAS / The Star. August 29, 2017.
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The Star
7 hours ago
- The Star
12,000 expected at highway marathon in Klang Valley
(Back row, from fifth left) Lee, Wan Salwani and Wang with representatives of sponsors for the IJM Allianz Duo Highway Challenge 2025. — LOW BOON TAT/The Star THE IJM Allianz Duo Highway Challenge, touted as Malaysia's only full highway marathon, will return for its seventh edition on Aug 3. The marathon will take place on parts of the New Pantai Expressway (NPE) and Sungai Besi Highway (Besraya). Over 12,000 participants are expected to join the event with four running categories, ranging from 5km to 42km. This year's 'Highway Legend' theme aims to celebrate everyday athletes who train without seeking recognition. Allianz Malaysia chief executive officer Sean Wang, representing the event's co-title sponsor, said the event was gaining more global recognition. 'Our partnership with IJM reflects a shared commitment to health and sustainability, mirroring our global support for the Olympics and Paralympics through 2032. 'The IJM Allianz Duo Highway Challenge has earned two Malaysia Book of Records titles. It is the first full marathon held on a highway and the longest marathon course on a closed highway. 'The 2025 edition has secured certification from World Athletics, an international governing body for athletics. 'It is also recognised by the Association of International Marathons and Distance Races,' said Wang during a press conference on the event at IJM Land Centre of Excellence Gallery in Pantai Sentral Park, Kuala Lumpur. IJM Corp Group chief executive officer Datuk Lee Chun Fai said the recognitions affirm that the marathon meets international standards for distance accuracy and race organisation. 'IJM's objectives go beyond constructing roads. That is why we build platforms to bring people together, to connect and challenge themselves. 'More importantly, the fully closed highway marathon experience remains uniquely ours. This is not just about speed but about community, perseverance and leaving a positive legacy.' The Works Ministry besides the police, and Malaysian Highway Authority will oversee road closures and traffic diversions to ensure public safety. IJM toll division chief executive officer Wan Salwani Wan Yusoff said a lot of behind-the-scenes efforts were required to execute the event. 'We need a lot of people and resources even for a one-day marathon. But we have gained sufficient experience after having this event for several years,' she said. Event organiser EC Pixels Asia managing director Eugene Chan, said new features this year included public recruitment for pacers and entertainment zones with live music to encourage participants along the route. 'We have launched a pacer search and the public can register with us. 'Every station along the run will offer isotonic drinks. 'The highway run can be quite tough, so we have added entertainment stations to help runners enjoy the journey. 'There will be a live DJ station at one of the stations,' said Chan. Registration for the run closes on June 30. For details, visit
The Star
8 hours ago
- The Star
Armin, buoyed by his personal best time in Gumi, eyes better results in SEA Games
Full of potential: Armin Zahryl Abdul Latif hopes to deliver at the SEA Games in Thailand.
The Star
8 hours ago
- The Star
Herry's different approach as coach bearing fruit for men's doubles
That's the way: Herry Iman Pierngadi (second from left) hugging Man Wei Chong after he and Tee Kai Wun (right) beat Japan's Takuro Hoki-Yugo Kobayashi in the Malaysian Masters semi-finals last month. PETALING JAYA: A coach can change a game, a great coach can change a life. It is a famous saying by American basketball trainer John Wooden and one that is greatly followed by national doubles coach Herry Iman Pierngadi. In fact, the 62-year-old Herry displays Wooden's slogan instead of his photo on his WhatsApp's profile. With such a profound belief in his calling as a coach, no wonder Herry has been able to transform the image of the Malaysian men's doubles department in just six months. From a washout at the All-England in March, the men's doubles under the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) have now contributed five titles in the first half of the year through former world champions Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik and Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun. Aaron lifted the Asian championships, Thailand Open and Singapore Open titles while Wei Chong-Kai Wun bagged the Malaysian Masters and entered the Indonesian Open final under the guidance of Herry since early February. It was such a turnaround especially after men's doubles wilted at the All-England in March when none made it past the first round. Wei Chong-Kai Wun also won the Indonesian Masters this year and reached the semi-finals of the Malaysian Open but that was before the arrival of Herry. 'The role of coach is more than just coaching,' said Herry, who has a four-year contract with BAM. 'It's about making a difference in the life of the players. I want them to be successful on and off the court. 'It's about trusting each other – the players and coach; also having a good communication, and being like a father to these players,' said Herry. Herry's calm manner and years of experience as Indonesia's long-serving doubles coach for almost three decades is rubbing off on the Malaysians, and the challenge now is to keep the momentum going in the second half of the year. 'It's a joy for a coach to see his players doing well. I'm so happy to see Man-Tee reaching the final of the Indonesian Open. Earlier, Aaron-Wooi Yik stayed solid for three weeks in a row,' said Herry. 'I think, the greater sense of accomplishment is seeing the change in the players' mindset ... they are now playing with more confidence,' he added. With a strong showing so far, naturally all eyes will be at the World Championships in Paris in August. Since Aaron-Wooi Yik ended the country's wait by winning the world title for the first time at the 2022 edition in Japan, Malaysia's men's doubles campaign has been rather quiet and it's time to make some noise again. In leading to the worlds, Herry's boys will firstly be out make their marks at the back-to-back Japan Open from July 15-20 and China Open from July 22-27. Last year, professional shuttlers Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani captured both the men's doubles title in Japan and China.
