39.97s performance by 4x100m relay boys, first ever sub-40 seconds run on homesoil

Before today the Singapore 4×100 metres men relay team has only successfully run five times below the 40-seconds barrier.

At the SEA Games time trial held earlier, make that their sixth triumphant attempt when the Team ‘A’ comprising of Md. Elfi, Gary Yeo, Lee Cheng Wei and Calvin Kang in that line-up blitz the race in a sublime timing of 39.97 seconds.

Team ‘B’ which has a lineup of Md. Naqib, Md. Amirudin, Goh Eng Wei and Lim Yao Peng, ran a timing of 41.32 seconds past the finishing line.

Not only Team ‘A’ managed to meet the SEA Games qualifying mark for the third time since the qualifying window begins in June last year, but also the first time a 4×100 metres relay team has run a sub-40 seconds timing on home soil.

Their first ever sub40 seconds attempt was back in 2009 where the line-up of Gary Yeo, Md. Elfi, Lee Cheng Wei and Md. Amirudin ran 39.82 seconds to clinch a surprise silver at Vientiane, Laos SEA Games and also in the process setting a new national record.

The team repeated that feat again at 2011 SEA Games edition held at Palembang, Indonesia, however this time narrowly missing the gold medal against the host nation Indonesia. Calvin Kang, Md. Amirudin, Lee Cheng Wei and Gary Yeo ran 39.91 seconds in that final.

It was only the year after in 2012 in May when the team peaked at the Asian Grand Prix, going sub-40 seconds at each of the three legs of the competition. They finally managed to improve their national mark, lowering it to 39.58 seconds which still stands today.

The 39.97 seconds effort earlier today was an encouraging result going sub-40 seconds for their relay season opener, and will only build the team’s confidence as they aim to meet 2013 IAAF World Championship qualifying mark of 39.20 seconds.

4x100m sub-40 seconds efforts

1. 39.58 – Asian Grand Prix (Klip Bua Stadium, Kanchanaburi) 11-May-2012
2. 39.73 – Asian Grand Prix (PE Campus Stadium, Chonburi) 14-May-2012
3. 39.82 – SEA Games (Vientiane, Laos) 17-Dec-2009
4. 39.83 – Asian Grand Prix (Suphachalasai National Stadium, Bangkok) 8-May-2012
5. 39.91 – SEA Games (Jakabaring Stadium, Palembang, Indonesia) 15-Nov-2011
6. 39.97 – SEA Games Timetrial (CCK Stadium, Singapore) 14-Apr-2013

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