Errol Qaqa set a new personal best in the men’s 60 metres hurdles during the 5th Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan on Monday night.

Qaqa clocked 8.45 seconds and despite not qualifying for the finals, he was excited with his personal best as this was the first time he has reached the eight second mark surpassing his old record of 9.3s.

“Going into the competition I was nervous but going into the control room I was just talking to myself telling myself that I’ve done this before and the only new thing is the games being indoors,” Qaqa said.

“I’m really happy with my performance because even though I did not qualify, I managed to get a personal best which is something huge for me.

“They really helped me push myself because I have been running with the same South Pacific people for years but running with those who are making it their life to be part of such events pushed me.

“I hope I do get to participate in another event, I do not want this to be my last indoor competition because I am sure that I can make my way to be up there and shave off my time just as easy as I did today.”

Experiencing his first international competition, Qaqa said he has learnt a lot, not only about competing against bigger countries but also about himself.

“Coming to a different country and competing is very different from back home, there are things like acclimatising and eating the right foods which is something I need to get used to,” he said.

“I am more confident now and I know I have so much potential to be better.”

Men’s 60m hurdle results- Ahmed Khadar Almuwallad, KSA (7.89s), Wang Fung Cheung, HKG (8.00s), Jungjoon Lee, KOR (8.08s), Hao-Hua Lu, TPE (8.16s), Errol Bernard Qaqa, FIJ (8.45s), Yulong Yi, CHN (8.67s), Serdar Oratdyyew, TKM (8.84s)

–  FASANOC