Harris creates history by winning bronze at Winter Games

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HARRIS Rashid created history when he won a medal for Malaysia in speed skating in the New Zealand Winter Games in Dunedin, New Zealand recently.

The 15-year-old Harris, one of the eight Malaysians taking part in the competition, won the bronze medal in the 15-16 years age group.

The youngster certainly had reasons to be excited as it was the first time a Malaysian had won a medal in speed skating in an international competition.

“It was my first big competition. It was something I had not expected. There were some strong speed skaters from New Zealand and Australia,’’ said Harris.

High flyer: Harris on course to winning the bronze in the New Zealand Winter Games.

The event required Harris to skate in three distances — 500m, 1,000m and 1,500m — but the youngster, a Form Three student at Sekolah Tuanku Abdul Rahman, Ipoh, fell during the 1,000m.

“I was consistent during the 500m and 1,500m and it was enough for me to win the bronze. I am certainly happy with my medal. I have to thank my teammates for their support.

“In fact, we have come closer during the competition,’’ said Harris, who has been involved in skating for about five years but switched to speed skating about a year ago.

Encouraged with his results, Harris is now looking forward to train more diligently.

In focus: The speed skaters training at the Sunway Pyramid Ice.

The others in the team were Angeline Chan Hui Theng, Chew Jia Yi, Dione Tan Shu-Yen, Ashley Chin Sook Hui, Yong Zhen Wei, Chew Jia Jian, Sean Yeo Qi Jun. They were accompanied by Tan Bee Leng as the coach.

Bee Leng was also excited with Harris’ bronze medal in the championships.

“We went there to gain exposure but returned with a medal. This is something beyond our expectations,’’ said Bee Leng.

Prior to the New Zealand Winter Games, the Malaysians took part in the New Zealand national championships.

Bee Leng said the New Zealand national championships gave the Malaysian the chance to get acclimatised to the weather conditions.

“They took part in the events and were among the speed skaters presented with certificates,’’ said Bee Leng.

However, the speed skaters are not resting on their laurels. They have resumed training under Bee Leng.

She said they were planning for a two-week training session in Changchun, China in December.

“We had gone there last year and the skaters had gained a lot. Once again we have plans to attend the training in China. Our aim is to prepare the speed skaters for the 2015 Asian Winter Games,’’ said Bee Leng.