SOLO (Indonesia), Aug 2 — The Malaysian athletics squad to the 11th Asean Para Games (APG) exploded off the blocks to bag four gold and two silver medals on the first day of track and field at the Manahan Stadium here yesterday.
Eddy Bernard, the 2018 Asian Para Games champion, managed a stylish outing to win the men's long jump T44/64 (physical disability) gold medal with a leap of 6.48 metres (m), ahead of Indonesian Ryan Arda (5.74m) and Thailand's Denpoom (5.20m).
This is a season-best for the 21-year-old athlete this year, surpassing the 6.36m he recorded at a Paris championship last April.
“I am grateful and happy to be able to improve on my jump, which surpassed the 2018 Asian Para Games record (6.30m). It gives me additional motivation to put up a better fight in upcoming competitions, such as APG in Cambodia next year,” said Bernard.
The athletics squad continued to excel when Jalur Gemilang flag-bearer Mohd Zikri Zakaria won the shot put F53-55 (wheelchair) gold, beating teammate Muhammad Amirul Alif Abdul Raof (8.63m) and Filipino Joel Balatucan (8.31m).
Meanwhile, former world champion and Rio 2016 Paralympic gold medallist Mohamad Ridzuan Mohamad Puzi also performed with gusto to strike gold in the men's 100m T36 (cerebral palsy) event in 12.220 seconds (s), while Indonesian M. Habib finished in 13.900s.
However, the silver medal was not awarded because there were only two participants.
Earlier, Muhammad Ziyad Zolkefli and Mohamad Aliff Mohamad Awi completed a 1-2 finish for Malaysia in the men's shot put F20 (intellectual impairment) event with throws of 16.92m and 13.46m. — Bernama