Petrovic backs Jonah to break national record on Asian Games debut

KUALA LUMPUR: Frantisek Petrovic, shot putter Jonah Chang Rigan's personal coach, is optimistic about the national athlete's chances of breaking his national record at the upcoming Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games. Although Petrovic won't be able to accompany Jonah to Japan, as he wasn't included in the team quota, he remains confident in the athlete's abilities.

The 61-year-old coach highlighted Jonah's strong development over the past few years, citing his record 19.12m throw set at the Qosanov Memorial in Kazakhstan in June. Petrovic emphasized that Jonah has already proven he can throw beyond 19 meters, showcasing his progress and improvement. Jonah's ability to perform against international competition has further boosted his confidence.

The 23-year-old is ready to produce a longer throw, although he will need to manage various factors, such as weather, pressure, and distractions, during the competition. Petrovic noted that Jonah's performances this year have demonstrated his capability to deliver his best results when competing against high-quality international opposition, as seen in his victories at the New Taiwan Open and the national record in Kazakhstan.

Despite not being present in Japan, Petrovic will continue to support Jonah daily through WhatsApp and video calls, confident that the athlete's mental strength will help him succeed in the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games on September 26.