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KUALA LUMPUR – Former national high jump champion Lee Hup Wei has what it takes to be a coach capable of nurturing future champions in the event, national athletics head coach Mohd Manshahar Abdul Jalil said.
Mohd Manshahar said with Hup Wei’s extensive experience and knowledge, the 2007 Asian Athletics Championship gold medallist would not only be able to guide young athletes to success, but also show them the right path to best his own achievements.
Hup Wei’s experience in various competitions, he said, which began during his school days and culminated with his Olympic Games appearance proved that he was an all-round athlete and worthy of being a role model.
“I am confident and believe that Hup Wei is a legend (in the high jump) and is capable of being a legend as a coach,” he said when met by reporters here.
Hup Wei, a four-time South East Asian (SEA) Games gold medallist, announced his retirement from the sport yesterday, after 18 years of dedication to athletics.
Throughout his career as a national athlete, the Kajang-born 35-year-old recorded a personal best record of 2.29m and represented the country at three Olympic Games, Beijing 2008, London 2012 and Tokyo 2020 in his event.
He also competed in three Asian Games, Doha 2006, Guangzhou 2010 and Jakarta-Palembang 2018, as well as two Commonwealth Games, New Delhi 2010 and Gold Coast 2018.
National hurdler Rayzam Shah Wan Sofian, who first met Hup Wei in 2004, believed his good friend would have little trouble becoming a coach.
“I hope he will nurture another 10 Lee Hup Weis who will be even better than him. He is really a great guy, generous and easy-going. He always has a smile on his face and doesn’t get angry, and most of all, he’s a fighter,” he said.
Another national teammate, sprinter Khairul Hafiz Jantan shared that Hup Wei was a senior who always was ready to provide guidance and encouragement to him.
“When I was down because of my injury, he (Hup Wei) gave me a lot of advice, telling me to be patient and not to retire early,” the 100m national record holder said.
Hup Wei is expected to become the national high jump backup squad coach, and planned to open his own academy to unearth more talent capable of bringing glory to the country in the high jump event after his retirement. – Bernama, March 28, 2022