NATIONAL sprinter Russel Alexander Nasir Taib (pic) had probably the best of preparations for the 200m.
But it was nowhere near good enough in his debut Asian Games and he now needs a reset.
The 25-year-old Australian-born athlete, based in the United Kingdom, finished last in the 200m semi-final, with a time of 21.53 and failed to qualify for the final at the Hangzhou Olympic Stadium yesterday.
Saudi Arabia’s Abdullah Abkar Mohammed was imperious from start to finish to take first place with a time of 20.59s, but he was given a great fight by Bahraini Saeed Saad Al-Khaldi at second (20.61s) and followed by Taiwan’s Yang Chun Han (20.67s). All three qualified for the final.
Russel did not hide his disappointment.
“It is just one of those days where thing just don’t go your way. I felt great in these last few weeks, training has been fantastic. The body feels good but something else happens. It was unfortunate,” said Russel.
“I just want to compete and be the best version of myself. The times I managed are not far from my best of 20.7s.
“My best could have made it to the final, I really pushed but things did not go my way. Getting to the semi-final was a small consolation.”
He will now shift his attention to the 4x100m relay tomorrow.
“We have got a really good group. The relay team is quite young with the oldest aged 27 and the youngest just 19,” he said.
Once he completes his schedule in Hangzhou, Russel will return to the UK.
“We just reset and go for 2024,” he added.
Meanwhile, discus thrower Queenie Ting Kung Ni finished seventh in the discus throw final. Her best throw was 49.00m, far from her personal best and national record of 52.77.
