Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia | 21 June 2015 | Asia Samachar
There is no break for high jumper Nauraj Singh Randhawa after retaining the gold medal in the Singapore SEA Games last week.
The 23-year-old from Johor together will be leaving to Bangkok today (June 20) to feature in three legs of Asian Grand Prixs.
The first leg will be held at Thammasat on June 22, second leg at Ayuthaya Province Stadium on June 25 and the third and final leg at Bangkok National Stadium on June 29.
Nauraj was invited for the Asian GPs based on his efforts for doing a personal best of 2.21m in the Malaysian Open in Kangar last year.
Nauraj, who cleared 2.13m to win the gold in SEA Games a week ago, said that that is the first time he has been invited for the Asian GP but he is not expecting to do well.
“I am still nursing a foot injury. My coach Alim (Ahemdjounv) has advice me to take it easy in the first two legs and give my best in the third leg,” said Nauraj, who is pursuing a degree in sport science at Universiti Malaya.
Nauraj will also be featuring in the World University Games in Gwangju, South Korea from July 4-13.
“I will be competing in my second World University Games and hope to qualify for the final. The standard of the Games is exceptionally high as all top high jumpers from Europe will feature in the Games,” said Nauraj, who thanked Malaysia National Sikhs Movement (GerakSikh) for honouring him.
Nauraj received RM2,000 as incentives from GerakSikh secretary general Amarjit Singh Gill at Wisma OCM yesterday, for his efforts in winning the gold medal in SEA Games.
Squash player Sanjay Sigh Chal, who bagged the men’s individual and team gold in the Singapore SEA Games last week, also received RM2,000 from Amarjit at Wisma OCM yesterday.
The 21-year-old Sanjay, who is ranked 115th in the world, also thanked GerakSikh for honouring him with the incentive.
“It feels nice that Sikh NGOs appreciate the efforts of Sikh athletes winning gold medal for the country in the SEA Games.
“The incentives is a boost for me to train much harder and win more titles in multi purpose Games and also in the professional circuits.
“My mission for the next six months is to break into top 80 bracket in the world rankings. I will be based in London to train under coach Robbie Temple to further improve my game,” said Sanjay, who will be featuring in two events in Melbourne — Victoria Open from July 27 to August 2 and Australian Open from Aug 3-9.
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