1. Overview
Rayzam Shah Wan Sofian (born January 11, 1988) is a Malaysian track and field athlete who specializes in the 110 metres hurdles. Throughout his career, he has achieved significant success, including setting a national record in the 110 metres hurdles and securing multiple medals at the Southeast Asian Games. He has represented Malaysia in numerous international competitions, including the World Championships and Commonwealth Games.
2. Early Life and Personal Background
Rayzam Shah Wan Sofian was born on January 11, 1988, in Keningau, a town located in Sabah, Malaysia. He is a Malaysian national. He stands at a height of 5.9 ft (1.8 m) and weighs 174 lb (79 kg). Rayzam Shah is married to Eriyana Idris.
q=Keningau, Sabah, Malaysia|position=right
3. Athletic Career
Rayzam Shah Wan Sofian's athletic career is notably marked by his achievement of the Malaysian national record in the 110 metres hurdles, alongside his participation in major international championships.
3.1. Personal Bests and National Records
Rayzam Shah holds the Malaysian national record in the 110 metres hurdles. He achieved his personal best time of 13.67 seconds on May 27, 2017, in Weinheim, Germany. This performance surpassed the previous national record held by Nur Herman Majid.
4. Competition History
Rayzam Shah Wan Sofian's extensive competition history includes a significant medal haul at the Southeast Asian Games and consistent appearances in other major international events.
| Year | Competition | Venue | Result | Event | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | Asian Junior Athletics Championships | Macau, China | Silver | 110 m hurdles (99 cm) | 13.84 |
| World Junior Championships | Beijing, China | 12th (sf) | 110 m hurdles (99 cm) | 13.95 | |
| 2007 | Asian Championships | Amman, Jordan | 18th (h) | 100 m | 10.74 |
| 12th (h) | 110 m hurdles | 14.53 | |||
| Southeast Asian Games | Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand | Gold | 110 m hurdles | 13.91 | |
| 2008 | Asian Indoor Championships | Doha, Qatar | 4th | 60 m hurdles | 8.01 |
| World Indoor Championships | Valencia, Spain | 31st (h) | 60 m hurdles | 8.26 | |
| 2009 | World Championships | Berlin, Germany | 41st (h) | 110 m hurdles | 14.06 |
| 2011 | Asian Championships | Kobe, Japan | 7th | 110 m hurdles | 14.03 |
| Southeast Asian Games | Palembang, Indonesia | Silver | 110 m hurdles | 13.86 | |
| 2013 | Asian Championships | Pune, India | 11th (h) | 110 m hurdles | 14.28 |
| World Championships | Moscow, Russia | 29th (h) | 110 m hurdles | 14.45 | |
| Islamic Solidarity Games | Palembang, Indonesia | Bronze | 110 m hurdles | 13.97 | |
| 4th | 4 × 100 m relay | 40.43 | |||
| Southeast Asian Games | Naypyidaw, Myanmar | Silver | 110 m hurdles | 14.00 | |
| 2015 | Asian Championships | Wuhan, China | 12th (h) | 110 m hurdles | 14.11 |
| Southeast Asian Games | Singapore | Silver | 110 m hurdles | 13.97 | |
| 2016 | Asian Indoor Championships | Doha, Qatar | 9th (h) | 60 m hurdles | 8.04 |
| 2017 | Asian Championships | Bhubaneswar, India | 11th (h) | 110 m hurdles | 14.03 |
| Southeast Asian Games | Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia | Gold | 110 m hurdles | 13.83 | |
| 2018 | Commonwealth Games | Gold Coast, Australia | 12th (h) | 110 m hurdles | 14.03 |
| Asian Games | Jakarta, Indonesia | 12th (h) | 110 m hurdles | 14.15 | |
| 2019 | Southeast Asian Games | Philippines | Silver | 110 m hurdles | 13.97 |
4.1. Southeast Asian Games
Rayzam Shah Wan Sofian has been a consistent and highly successful competitor at the Southeast Asian Games, accumulating a remarkable collection of medals. He has secured two gold medals in the 110 metres hurdles: the first in 2007 at Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand, and the second ten years later in 2017 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. In addition to his gold medals, he has earned four silver medals in the same event, demonstrating his sustained excellence across multiple Games. These silver medals were achieved in 2011 (Palembang, Indonesia), 2013 (Naypyidaw, Myanmar), 2015 (Singapore), and 2019 (Philippines). His long history of medal wins underscores his dominance in the regional hurdles circuit.
4.2. Other International Competitions
Beyond the Southeast Asian Games, Rayzam Shah has actively participated in a variety of other significant international athletics championships. He made his debut at the Asian Junior Athletics Championships in 2006 in Macau, China, where he won a silver medal in the 110 metres hurdles (99 cm). The same year, he competed at the World Junior Championships in Beijing, China, reaching the semifinals.
His senior career saw him compete at the Asian Athletics Championships multiple times, including in 2007 (Amman, Jordan), 2011 (Kobe, Japan), 2013 (Pune, India), 2015 (Wuhan, China), and 2017 (Bhubaneswar, India). He also participated in the Asian Indoor Athletics Championships in 2008 and 2016, and the World Indoor Championships in 2008.
In 2013, he earned a bronze medal in the 110 metres hurdles at the Islamic Solidarity Games held in Palembang, Indonesia, where he also placed fourth with the 4 × 100 m relay team. Rayzam Shah has also represented Malaysia at the prestigious Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, Australia in 2018, and the Asian Games in Jakarta, Indonesia in the same year, competing in the 110 metres hurdles at both events.
5. Legacy and Influence
Rayzam Shah Wan Sofian's career has left a significant mark on Malaysian athletics. As a national record holder in the 110 metres hurdles, he stands as a testament to consistent dedication and high performance in the sport. His numerous medals at the Southeast Asian Games, including two golds, highlight his sustained excellence and regional dominance, inspiring a generation of aspiring Malaysian hurdlers. His long-standing presence in international competitions, spanning over a decade, showcases his commitment and serves as a model for athletic longevity and resilience. Through his achievements, Rayzam Shah has contributed to raising the profile of track and field in Malaysia and has become an influential figure for young athletes aiming for national and international success.