Kota Kinabalu: Newly-crowned 21st Para Sukma best male athlete Shahafiq Abdullah’s ultimate aim is to compete in the Paralympics.
The 20-year-old swimmer from Sandakan said this upon his arrival from Kuching together with fellow teammate Abd Halim Mohammad.
Shahafiq captured four gold medals as well as setting four national records in the men’s 50m freestyle S6, 100m backstrokes S5/S6, 50m butterfly S6/S7 and 100m freestyle S6 events.
However, he said his immediate target now is to continue training and focus on the Asean Para Games scheduled to be held in Thailand in 2026. “Right now I’m taking it step by step and focusing on the Asean Para Games first, if I am given the chance to compete,” he said.
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“It was a surprise and unexpected as well, and I feel very happy.
“This is also my best achievement to date. At the last Para Sukma, I only won one gold and three silvers,” he said.
Shahafiq added that he faced a lot of challenges in preparation for the Sarawak Games due to the combined categories and he also had to train twice daily.
He attributed his success to the guidance of his coaches and the support of Sabah Sport Council and his parents.
Meanwhile, Sabah Sports Council director Mohd Asneh Mohd Noor, who welcomed back Shahafiq and Halim upon their arrival, said they have high hopes that Shahafiq will make it to the Paralympics.
“Shahafiq is still young. I think he is only 20-year-old and we hope he will one day go to the Paralympics.
“Our goal is to have more Paralympians from Sabah. Recently we had our first Paralympic bronze medal from Eddy Bernard and we hope more will be taking part in the next Paralympic Games in 2028,” he said.
Also present at the airport to welcome the duo were Sabah Para Swimming Association president Jonathan Wong Kar Gee and Sabah Sports Council deputy director Alissa Apha.
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