“Happy! Overwhelmed! Satisfied!” That was Nauraj Singh Randhawa’s immediate response when asked about his historic achievement at the Singapore Open yesterday.

The Malaysian high jumper qualified for the Rio de Janeiro Olympics on merit, matching the 2.29 metres Olympic qualifying standard.

Besides winning the gold, Nauraj Singh improved on his personal best of 2.25 metres set at the Canberra Track Classic two months ago.

“I am thankful to the Malaysian Athletics Federation (MAF) and Majlis Sukan Negara (National Sports Council MSN) which have supported me over the past recent three months while I was in Australia for training,” he told Bernama.

“Those three months have been very crucial for me. It brought me to where I am today. Without that, I don't believe I would have made it happen,” he said.

Nauraj Singh, 24, becomes the first national track and field athlete and the 13th Malaysian athlete to pack his bags for Rio in August.

The Johorean will join 12 other athletes from archery, cycling, diving, swimming, sailing and shooting to Brazil.

“This will be my debut in the Olympics. I hope to bring out the best in me to test my maximum capability.

“I look forward to setting a new goal. This time we will do something for Malaysian athletics. We will step out of our game. I would be more than happy if I can make it to the final,” he said.

It was Nauraj Singh’s fourth win in international competitions this year, adding to his three wins during the Australian Athletics Tour.

At the National Stadium in Kallang, Nauraj Singh recorded another personal achievement by surpassing the national record of 2.27 metres held by Lee Hup Wei set in the China Open eight years ago.

This is the first time that a track and field athlete heads to the Summer Olympics without the need for a wild card since the Beijing Olympics in 2008 when Hup Wei, Yuan Yufang (20km walk) and Roslinda Samsu (pole vault) qualified on merit.

“I hope this achievement would open everyone’s eyes in Malaysia. I am talking about, maybe, sponsors to see that Malaysian athletes are doing something. We need sponsors so that we can organise good quality events and attract people around Malaysia. I hope it will be an eye-opener for everyone.”

Asked if he could break his own new record, Nauraj Singh said: “Why not? I don’t see the reason for not being able to perform better.”

- Bernama