AFTER 24 years, former national athlete N. Shanmuganathan’s Malaysian national record for the men’s 3,000m steeplechase still remains intact.
The 47-year-old Penangite had clocked 8:59.10 in the 1998 Commonwealth Games at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil, on Sept 17, 1998.
In an interview by Buletin Mutiara at the same venue today, Shanmuganathan, who is better known as Shan, could vividly recall the joyous occasion back then.
“I did not expect to produce such an amazing result. It was not easy as I was up against some of the greatest athletes in the world.
“My determination primarily helped me to get through.
“While I am happy that my record still stands, I hope that it can be shattered by someone in the near future.
“This will lift our athletics’ standard and provide some hope for medal prospects for the country at international championships,” he said.
Shan was up against a world-class field in the race which was eventually dominated by Kenyan runners.
They swept the top three placings through John Kosgei (8:15.34), Bernard Barmasai (8:15.37) and Kipkirui Misoi (8:18.24).
Although Shan was left trailing in their wake, the hot pace they set was the impetus he needed to push himself to the limit and the national record.
Life, however, is unpredictable and tragedy can happen without warning.
This occurred to Shan when he met a serious motorcycle accident in February, 2015, resulting in a life-and-death situation.
He sustained serious head injuries and was in a coma for 17 days.
When he regained consciousness and went on to recover, he suffered bouts of depression.
“It took me about a year to regain full memory and I decided not to wallow in self pity.
“I decided to come back stronger than ever.
“Later, I managed to get myself a job and I also did some business,” said Shan, a former Westlands School student.
But Shan could not get far away from the track for long. Running is simply in his blood.
He not only took part in the Asia Pacific Masters Games (APMG) 2018 at the City Stadium in Penang, but was also given the honour of reading the athletes’ oath.
He was ready for his events, after shedding 20kg through one year and eight months of hard training. He had earlier ballooned to 97kg after his accident.
Competing in the 40 and above age group, Shan won three golds (10km road race, 3,000m steeplechase and 5,000m) and a silver medal (1,500m).
His never-say-die attitude impressed a lot of people.
The Penang State Sports Council (MSNPP) offered him a job coaching the state’s long-distance runners. Which he gladly accepted.
“I had state MSNPP’s director Harry Chai to thank for giving me the opportunity to return to the scene,” Shan said.
He is now back at the National Stadium for the ongoing Sukma (Malaysia Games) as the Penang athletics long-distance coach.
As he relives his sweet memories of his achievement in the 1998 Commonwealth Games, Shan is keeping his fingers crossed that his charges will also rise to the occasion.
Story by Edmund Lee
Pix by Ahmad Adil Muhamad