MUHAMMAD Ziyad Zolkefli continued to dazzle by claiming gold medal in men’s shot putt in a new Games record at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil on Thursday (Sept 21).
The Rio Paralympics gold medallist and Para world record holder hurled the iron ball to a distance of 16.81m – erasing his previous mark of 15.69m set at the 2014 Games in Naypyitaw three years ago.
It was Ziyad’s fourth straight gold medal in the event since making his debut in Solo, Indonesia, in 2011. Fellow Malaysian Aliff Awi took silver (12.79s) and Thailand’s Sanepoot Boonkong the bronze.
Malaysian athletes won another seven gold medals on Day 4 of the competition, taking their total catch to 20 gold, 21 silvers and 23 bronze medals.
Thailand also won six gold medals whilst the Indonesians continued their domination with four more gold to their closet for a total of 35 gold, 23 silvers and 16 bronze medals.
Muhammad Hafiz Abu Bakar won the discus F36/37 gold – a distance of 33.51m, pushing teammates Shamli Waidi and Ahmad Fauzi to the silver and bronze medals respectively.
In the javelin F12/13 (visual impairment) event, the gold is Mohd Hisham Khaironi’s for keep. He hurled a distance of 49.98m and was successful in only in his third attempt.
Doriah Paolus also made his promise good of gold in the javelin F42/44 (physical impairment) by clearing a distance of 31.1m. Indonesia’s Warmia Marto took bronze and Vietnamese Thi Thu Thuan the bronze.
Malaysia’s other gold medal contributors are Jonathan Wong (long jump T11/12 – 6.98m) whilst silver medal went to fellow Malaysian Mohamad Saifuddin Ishak (6.56m) and Thailand’s Punthong Jakkit took bronze (5.46m).
Adderin Majurin won gold in shot putt F32/33/34 (celebral palsy) – 7.51m and Shamli (shot putt F36/37 (celebral palsy).
QUOTES:
“I gave 100 per cent concentration and my best in the shot put. I think clearing a distance of 16.81m was a good effort but I am sure I can do much better in the future.” – ZIYAD ZOLKEFLI
