Time to grow up (The Malay Mail)

WATSON NYAMBEK ran away from reality yesterday when he failed to win
anything in the Asian Games 100m final.
 Watson couldn't face the big moment. And the Malaysian speed demon
couldn't face the journalists.
 Perhaps the 22-year-old Sarawakian couldn't face his own self after so
much of promise, especially after scorching times in the heats.
 It was all gone in 10.32s at Bangkok's Thammasat Stadium as Japan's Koji
Ito, who ran 10s flat in the semifinals, took the gold in 10.05s.
Thailand's Seehanwong Reanchai and Japan's Yasukatsu Otsuki were second
and third respectively on 10.28s and 10.31s.
 Watson ended up fourth. A big zero as the Malaysian camp had predicted
that Watson would win a medal but it was gold that he wanted.
 The optimism and confidence had skyrocketed after Watson found himself
as the next favourite after Ito after the latter finished second fastest
in the heats on Sunday.
 But, in the end, the "Flying Dayak" just couldn't make the quantum leap
to greatness though he had shown such signs when winning the Asian
championships silver in Fukuoka, Japan, in July.
 Watson couldn't live with the pressure and the legs of the powerfully-
built speedster got weighted down with too much expectation just like in
the Olympics and SEA Games. In Fukuoka, Watson shone when nothing was
expected of him.
 Perhaps it works best like a bolt from out of the blue. When Rabuan Pit
won the century dash for Malaysia 16 years ago in New Delhi (our last
sprint success), he was not even close to being a darkhorse.
 A devastated Watson yesterday showed his lack of character off the field
as well when dealing with the Press.
 Just earlier, he cut a confident picture while waiting for the
unofficial times to be flashed on the scoreboard. When the results
appeared, a stunned and bitter Watson then stormed off to the dressing
room.
 When he finally came out, he tried to evade the Malaysian electronic and
print media, scrambling away in his walk.
 When asked what happened in the race, Watson shot back: "What happened
was I finished fourth."
 When asked whether he lost his balance at the start, Watson refused to
answer and just walked way to be joined by his coach Mumtaz Jaafar.
 As the reporters rushed after Watson, Malaysia's fastest man was
"running away" from them.
 Mumtaz was overheard asking Watson if the latter had lost his balance.
Watson replied: "I did not."
 "You looked like you were floating at the start," said Mumtaz.
 "No, I did not feel like that," said Watson.
 "What happened then?" asked Mumtaz.
 "I don't know," said Watson.
 The Press then asked Mumtaz to request Watson to speak with them but the
sprinter shook his head and continued his way.
 One can understand Watson's feelings especially after two superb runs in
the heats.
 But, as a sportsman, he must be sporting enough to accept defeats.
 When he did well in the heats, Watson was effusive and very obliging in
giving interviews. It seems his runs on the field is the barometer of his
emotions.
 The nation shares Watson's disappointment and he owes it to the people
to share the race with them.
 Unless Watson matures in character, it will be difficult for him to
triumph on the field.