PETALING JAYA, Nov 24 — Watson Nyambek expected Badrul Hisyam Manap to break his national 100m record but did not reckon it would happen so fast.

The 18-year-old Badrul, who grew up idolising Watson, erased the Sarawakian’s national 100m record of 10.30s when he clocked 10.29s at the Asean Schools Games in Bandar Seri Begawan yesterday.

“I met Badrul in Sibu two months ago and even then I could see he had the potential to break my record,” said Watson, who is a Sarawak Sports Council coach.

“He was not at his best as he was in the conditioning period and did not light up the track. We spoke after his race and I learnt more about him. It was plain that he was well on the way to being a record breaker.

“It was great to be the holder for 17 years but the time is right to pass the torch to someone new.

“I hope he can go even faster.”

Watson said he started following Badrul’s career and was not surprised when he won the sprint double at the Universiti Malaysia Perlis Athletics Open five weeks ago.

Not only did Badrul win the 100m in 10.50s to earn a ticket to next year’s World Junior Athletics Championships, he also became the fastest Malaysian over 200m when he clocked 20.88s in the 200m.

That was quicker than the national record of 20.92 set by Tan Sri Dr M. Jegathesan at the 1968 Mexico City Olympics.

Unfortunately for Badrul, the tailwind exceeded 2.0m/s and it was not recognised as a record.

At that time, Badrul had said making the cut to the World Juniors was his main aim for the year and that his next target was to erase Watson’s 100m mark

“I was sad when I learnt he failed to break the 200m record due to the tailwind as it was a fantastic run,” said Watson.

“I am sure it is just a matter of time before Badrul breaks the oldest record in Malaysian athletics history.”

Badrul will have the chance to break Jegathesan’s 200m record as he is down to compete in that event as well as the 400m in Brunei.

Badrul’s win yesterday sealed a 1-2 for Malaysia as Asnawi Hashim clocked 10.71s to take the silver medal.

Both athletes train under Mohd Poad Md. Kassim.