Hakimi plans Asian Games preparation in Europe

KUALA LUMPUR: After failing to make an impact in the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, Australia, triple jumper Muhammad Hakimi Ismail is now putting his focus on the Asian Games in Jakarta-Palembang in August.
The 27-year-old athlete acknowledged he has to work hard to record jumps near 17m if he wants to be one of the main contenders in the championships as most athletes could attain jumps between 16.70 to 16.80m.
Among the leading competitors for Muhammad Hakimi is Rio Olympics bronze medalist, Dong Bin of China who reached 17.58m in Rio two years ago.
In the effort to achieve the mission, Muhammad Hakimi who is the holder of the SEA Games and national records at 16.77m set in the Kuala Lumpur SEA Games last year, is planning to undergo training in Europe to be in tip-top condition.
"My main focus is to peak at the Asian Games while the earlier tournaments are preparations to gauge myself with other competitors. I feel the meets there (Europe) are more competitive to challenge myself.
Muhammad Hakimi was placed ninth after recording 15.97m in three attempts in the triple jump final in Gold Coast. — Bernama