Fakhri Ismail is currently Brunei's fastest man as he holds the record for the men's 100m event which he set at the 2015 SEA Games in Singapore. He recently took a step back to play football. We at BruSports News managed to catch up with him to find out more about how things are going on for him.
Q: When did you get yourself into athletics and how did it happen?
A: I actually started out playing football for the country but I was unfortunately cut from the squad one week prior to departure to the 2011 SEA Games in Indonesia.
Determined to prove my capability, I decided to participate in the Pesta Sukan Kementerian that following year.
I managed to outperformed one of our national sprinters and won the men's 200m event. That’s how it all started for me as a sprinter.
Q: Who is your favourite athlete and what are the qualities you like about him?
A: Usain Bolt as he is humble person despite being the fastest man on earth and still remains unbeatable to date.
Q: What is your ultimate goal in athletics?
A: To win medals for our beloved country at the SEA Games.
Q: How has life changed for you after the 2016 Olympics?
A: Athletics in general gained more exposure after the Olympics. Youths became more aware of the sport and became more inclined to try it and take part.
Apart from that, I’ve started getting more attention from the public as an Olympian. People started seeing me as their role model, whereby I was constantly being invited to give talks at schools, do interviews for local newspapers, radio and social media – to share my experience and journey as an athlete with our youths.
Q: How important is a good diet in athletics?
A: A good diet is specially important as it helps in performance as well as long term recovery. The practice of a good diet should not be temporary but it should be a part of our lifestyle.
Q: What is your most memorable moment in the sport?
A: Firstly, being the flag bearer for my beloved country at the 2016 Rio Olympics. And of course, running alongside the world class athletes like Usain Bolt and Su Bing Tian, who is the first Asian-born sprinter to break the sub-10 barrier for the 100m event.
Q: Where do you see yourself in the next five years?
A: I will probably look into coaching and help Brunei develop our young and potential athletes.
Q: What advice can you give to those who wish to follow in your footsteps?
A: Youths should be active in sports to help contribute to our country’s sports development,
Be passionate and committed; but also remember the need to balance between sports and academics.
Q: What do you think you will do after you retire from the sport?
A: I would like to share my experience as an athlete with our younger generation and I hope that I can continue to inspire and motivate them for as long as they remember who I am.
Q: How long do you think your record of 10.59s in the 100m event will stand?
A: Can’t predict but every record set is meant to be broken. If someone does break it one day, I would be more than proud as it also reflects the quality of our national athletes.
Q: Do you prefer individual or relay race?
A: Both. Individual race is more about my own capabilities and achieving my personal best. Whereas relay is mostly about teamwork, communication and compatibility with your teammates.
Q: You recently moved back to playing football. What was experience like playing for Indera FC at the AFC Cup earlier this year?
A: It was definitely a great experience and an unexpected opportunity to participate in a team sport on the international stage.
I learned a lot from the coach. Eventhough I didn’t get the chance to play on the field during the AFC cup, I will continue to learn the game and work hard to improve myself.
Q: Want to say anything as we end this interview?
A: Nothing comes easy, just got to hustle your way through in order to achieve your set goals. And most importantly, never give up!
