Despite looking tired, Umar somehow found his second wind to finish the race in 46.78s and erase the old Games mark of 47.02s set by Selangor’s Ilham Suhaimi at the 2018 edition in Perak.

Umar’s punishing pace left Sabah’s Khalil Helmi (48.05s) and Perak’s  N Kanishkann (48.42s) scrambling for silver and bronze.

The victory also enabled Umar to defend the gold he won at the 2022 edition in Kuala Lumpur and helped him mark his final Sukma appearance in style, having earlier helped Johor to two gold medals – in the 4x400m mixed relay and the men’s 4x400m.

“I was confident of victory today but I had to keep my emotions in check because runners like Khalil (Helmi) and Akmal (Haziq Zahari of Johor) are very strong. I expected them to give me a good fight.”