Tuesday, November 15, 2011

SEA GAMES: Despite Seven Months Of Inactivity, Lee Rises To Grab Gold

PALEMBANG, Nov 15 (Bernama) -- Despite being inactive for seven months, national high jumper Lee Hup Wei rose to the occasion by taking the SEA Games gold at the Athletics Stadium, here, Monday.

Lee, 24, cleared 2.15m to overcome his nearest challenger Torlarp Sudjunta of Thailand who took the silver while the bronze medal went to Vietnam's Dao Van Thuy who cleared 2.08m.

The Games' record holder was, however, not satisfied as he failed to achieve his target of 2.20m.

He said he needed to achieve that height to return to his peak performance and would try to qualify for the Olympics next year.

"Maybe I am taking it took easy as the competition was not so stiff. Still, I need to improve further to reach greater heights," he said, adding that he only started training three months ago after recovering from an ankle injury.

Lee holds the national record of 2.27m which he achieved at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

He said he still needed to train seven or eight months more before returning to his previous jumping form.

Earlier, Lee who is from Dengkil, Selangor, said he faced some difficulties to return to his present form with the last-minute training, besides having to undergo physiotherapy.

"I am very thankful to my family and coach for their support and positive words for me to rise up again," said Lee who is currently coached by Joe Lewis Alfaro Quinones of Cuba.

In the men's hammer throw, Wong Siew Cheer took the bronze with a throw of 57.04m.

The gold medal went to Thailand's Tantipo Phetchaiya (61.46m) while Arniel Ferrera of the Philippines took the silver.

-- BERNAMA

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