HANGZHOU: Thirteen days after the 2022 Asian Games came to a close, it is now the turn of the nation’s 113 ‘extraordinary’ athletes to display their prowess when 2022 Para Asian Games officially opens, here tomorrow.
Armed with the same fighting spirit, the national warriors will be shouldering the country’s honour in 14 of the 22 sports in competition in Hangzhou.
The sports involving the national contingent this time are archery, athletics, badminton, cycling, powerlifting, shooting, swimming, table tennis, wheelchair basketball, wheelchair fencing, wheelchair tennis, boccia, blind football and lawn bowl.
In the 2018 edition in Jakarta-Palembang, the target was 15 gold medals however the Malaysian Paralympic Council (MPM) has decided came up with a total of 35 medals regardless of colours for the national contingent to the Para Asian Games this time.
The low target compared to 68 medals in the last edition, was made based on several factors among which 54 athletes from the contingent of 113 athletes were new faces.
The decision to set a lower target was in part due to the loss of 18 potential medals as the events will not be featured by the hosts this time as well as the retirement of the previous medal winners.
However, despite the situation, it is almost certain that the capabilities of national contingent cannot be underestimated and are able to realise the target and will definitely not go home empty-handed.
The line-up of para athletes in the athletics camp such as Muhammad Ziyad Zolkefli who is defending the gold medal in the men’s shot put F20 (learning difficulties) event at the last Asian Para Games.
Similarly, Datuk Abdul Latif Romly has the mission to retain the men’s long jump T20 (intellectual impairment) gold in addition to renewing his current world record of 7.64 meters (m).
Not to be forgotten is the warning given by national paralifting champion Bonnie Bunyau Gustin that he wants to turn silver into gold in the 65 kilogrammes (kg) event at this Games despite a shoulder injury he is still experiencing.
The country’s badminton champion, Cheah Liek Hou, is determined to hunt for SU5 (physical disability) men’s singles gold at the Asian Para Games for the third time after the 2010 (Guangzhou) and 2014 (Incheon) editions, despite admitting that he is facing challenges from opponents younger than him.
Meanwhile, national swimmer Muhammad Nur Syaiful Zulkafli is optimistic about contributing medals to the country after winning the gold medal in the men’s S5 50m freestyle event (physical impairment) in addition to silver in the men’s S5 100m freestyle event and the men’s S5 200m freestyle event previously.
Their presence will definitely inspire other athletes to prove that the target of 35 medals is achievable. – BERNAMA
