Republic Kyrgyz sprinter Bulanova Anna (left) with Malaysian sprinter Siti Fatimah Mohamad (centre) and Komalam Shally Selveratnam (right) in action on 100m for women category during the 1st Malaysian Athletics Grand Prix at National Stadium in Bukit Jalil on Saturday. MUHAMAD SHAHRIL ROSLI/The Star
KUALA LUMPUR–For Malaysia’s Siti Fatimah Mohamed, age is not a barrier.
The 33-year-old, who will be the oldest sprinter in the women’s 100m at the Philippines SEA Games, believes she can spring a surprise at the biennial Games.
The army lance corporal feels that she can give the younger rivals a run for their money.
“I have faith in myself and with the experience and the preparations that I went through, I can finish on the podium, ” said Siti, who clocked a season-best 11.93 to win bronze at the Malaysian Grand Prix in Bukit Jalil in March.
She has never won a medal in the sprint at the SEA Games and her best outing was a fifth place at the Kuala Lumpur Games two years ago.
Siti, who has a personal best of 11.53, added that anything is possible in a competition.
Siti will face a strong challenge from defending champion Le Tu Chinh of Vietnam, Veronica Shanti Pereira of Singapore, Supawan Thipat of Thailand and teammate Zaidatul Husniah Zulkifli.
She will also compete in the 4x100m relay together with Zaidatul, S. Komalam Shally and Nurul Faizah Asma Mazlan.
At the India Open in Ranchi last month, the quartet clocked 45.97 to win a silver.
Siti said that they are not only eyeing a medal in the relay but also want to set a new national record.
“We hold the national record of 45.18 (set at the Asian Championships in 2017) and I strongly feel we can break it, ” added Siti, who has represented Malaysia since 2004. Asked whether this will be her last SEA Games, Siti said: “God willing, if I’m still in good condition then I will compete in 2021.”
Siti has featured in three SEA Games and won two bronze medals in the 4x100m in 2007 in Korat and 2015 in Singapore.