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| Muhammad Ziyad Zolkefli of Malaysia celebrates winning gold and setting a new world mark in the Rio Paralympics men’s shot put final in Rio de Janeiro Sept 10, 2016. Reuters Photo |
Malaysia has created history by winning two gold medals at the Rio Paralympics in Brazil, and etching one of the victories by setting a new world record.
The first gold medal was won by Mohamad Ridzuan Mohamad Puzi Sunday (Saturday in Rio de Janeiro) in the 100m T36 (celebral palsy) event and the second by Muhammad Ziyad Zolkefli with a new world record in the Men’s Shot Put F20 (intellectual disability) event, also on Sunday.
Malaysia has won medals previously at the paralympics, but only silver and bronze.
At the Rio Olympic Stadium, Mohamad Ridzuan dashed across the finish line of the 100m T36 in 12.07 seconds, ahead of Yang Yifei of China (12.20s) and Rodrigo Parreira da Silva of Brazil (12.54s).
Muhammad Ziyad hurled the shot a distance of 16.84 metres to clinch the world record and the gold on his fifth attempt.
He erased the previous world record of 16.29m set by Todd Hodgetts of Australia at the London Paralympics in 2012.
Dimitrios Senikidis of Greece won the silver medal in Rio with a throw of 16.17m and Hodgetts took the bronze medal with a throw of 15.82m.
Muhammad Ziyad Zolkefli of Malaysia celebrates winning gold and setting a new world mark in the Rio Paralympics men’s shot put final in Rio de Janeiro Sept 10, 2016. Reuters Photo
“I wish to thank the people of Malaysia who have supported me all these years, especially my family, friends, coaches, Malaysian Paralympic Council, National Sports Institute, National Sports Council and my supporters.
“This is a win for all of you…this is the blessing of my prayers. Once again Thanks a Million,” Ziyad said through a pre-recorded video clip.
In fact, Ziyad had already set a new world record in his very first attempt with a distance of 16.40m.
Ridzuan who had won the first gold medal for Malaysia in the men’s 100m T36 (cerebral palsy) event was also elated with his achievement because he had not only put Malaysia on the world sporting map, but also bettered the Paralympics record.
The sprinter clocked 12.07 seconds to erase the old Paralympics record of 12.25s set by Roman Pavlyk from Ukraine at the 2012 London Paralympics.
According to National Paralympics head coach for athletics, R. Jeganathan, Ridzuan, who had difficulty expressing his feelings in words after the prize presentation had to be calmed down and comforted by the head coach since he was continuously crying, though it was tears of joy. –Bernama
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