KUALA LUMPUR – Datuk Karim Ibrahim, the president of Malaysia Athletics (MA), has expressed his strong support for emerging athlete Kristian Tung, calling him a “special talent.”
He has committed to advocating for Tung’s entry into the national Podium Programme.
Karim said that the 21-year-old runner from the Federal Territories has demonstrated impressive growth by breaking two national records within just two months, highlighted by his time of 30:07 in the 10km road race at the Rotterdam Big Series 10 last week.
“Kristian is a huge talent that we must support by all means,” said Karim.
“He is only 21 and is already breaking records by a large margin. His most recent 10km erased the previous national mark by close to a minute – this is not common. It shows that his training programme is working.”
Kristian had earlier made history in August when he ran 8:15.81 in the men’s 3,000m at the British Milers Club meet in London, erasing S. Muthiah’s 40-year-old record of 8:27.00.
Karim confirmed that MA will recommend the Loughborough University student for the Podium Programme upon review.
“On our part, we will do our best to ensure Kristian is absorbed into the Podium Programme and receives the support he needs. We don’t want to put him under pressure, but he is definitely a medal prospect at the upcoming Bangkok SEA Games,” said Karim.
The MA president also agreed with Kristian’s own assessment that training overseas was crucial to his progress.
“I also agree that Kristian will improve further if he continues to train abroad with high-level runners,” he said.
Kristian, who won three gold medals at the Sarawak Sukma last year, has already expressed ambitions to medal at the SEA Games in December before turning his sights on the Glasgow Commonwealth Games and the 2026 Asian Games in Nagoya.
With official backing now assured, Malaysia’s latest distance-running sensation appears set to receive the structured support needed to chase even greater heights. – September 9, 2025