Quartet Finally Get Recognition Denied Them In Indonesia

KUALA LUMPUR: The 4x400m quartet will remember December 9 for the rest of their lives. That’s the day they finally got the recognition and glory denied them at the Indonesia SEA Games.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak presented the relay runners Mohd Yunus Lasaleh, S. Kannathasan, P. Yuvaraaj and Schzuan Ahmad Rosley with the gold medals they won at the SEA Games at the Juara Stadium in Bukit Kiara yesterday.

The quartet went to the SEA Games under Category B on Nov 13, the eve of their event, but they surprised everyone when they stunned favourites Thailand to win the gold medal with a time of 3:10.49.

However, they were heartbroken as they had to return from Palembang a day before the medal presentation.

A day to remember: The men’s 4x400m quartet of (from left) Mohd Yunus Lasaleh, S.Kannathasan, Schzuan Ahmad Rosely and P.Yuvaraaj showing the gold medals presented to them by the Prime Minister yesterday. – GLENN GUAN/The Star

 It was the first time that athletes had been deprived of their moment of glory, forced to leave without collecting their medals.

Najib praised the quartet for winning the unexpected gold medal and presented them with cash incentives of RM2,500 each for their effort.

Under Category B, the sports association bears the cost of sending the athletes to the Games. The Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) reimburses them if the athletes return with at least a silver medal.

Mohd Yunus, who made his debut in the Games, said that it had been a bittersweet experience.

“We went to Palembang at the last minute not as medal contenders but we surprised everyone by winning the relay. However, we were disappointed when we had to return home without our medals.

“We are really honoured to receive the gold medals from the Prime Minister today. It more than makes up for the hurt we suffered in Palembang.

“I will remember Dec 9 for the rest of my life,” said the 23-year-old Mohd Yunus, who is from Sabah.

P. Yuvaraaj said it was a privilege to have the Prime Minister himself present the medal they so cherished.

“It will definitely motivate us to train harder to prove that our win in Palembang was no fluke,” he said.

“We hope that in winning the gold we will be taken seriously and be able to compete in more events next year.

“I will also try to break the 400m national record of 46.41,” said Yuvaraaj, who has a personal best 47.31.