Selangor Journal
National F20 shot put para athlete Muhammad Ziyad Zolkefli. — File picture

Selangor paralympian Muhammad Ziyad wants to better personal record

SHAH ALAM, Aug 14 — National F20 shot put athlete, Muhammad Ziyad Zolkefli has pledged to better his personal and world record at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games.

He said that with the golden throw of 17.29 metres he currently holds, he dreams of increasing the distance so much so no one can go after his record.

“I want to focus and do my level best to make Selangor and the nation proud when I compete in Tokyo,” he said at a virtual gathering with Selangor athletes who will be representing the country to the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics, yesterday.

“Despite not being normal athletes, we have our own determination and will perform our level best to achieve something to bring glory for the nation,” he said.

Meanwhile, another Selangor-born paralympic athlete Muhammad Hafiz Jamali, who will be competing in the one-kilometre track cycling race, said he felt pressure as this is his debut in the Paralympics.

But he said he was adjusting to the pressure with psychological training and the support of the experienced paralympic athletes and coaches who are providing guidance.

In addition, he said national track cycling ace Datuk Mohd Azizulhasni Awang, who won the silver medal in the keirin event at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, also gave him encouraging words during training at the Nilai velodrome.

“We (Paralympic athletes) only met for a short while because we were still in the quarantine phase but we are raring to give our best,” he said.

Earlier, State Youth Generation Development, Sports and Human Capital Development Committee chairman Mohd Khairuddin Othman said Selangor are banking their hopes on the two athletes to bring glory to the state and nation on the world stage.

“When Muhammad Ziyad won at the 2016 Rio Paralympics, the Selangor government gave him a house.

“God willing, if the two athletes return with excellence, we will take the matter to the State Executive Council and we will give the appropriate rewards,” he said.

Before this, the Selangor government had announced an incentive of RM10,000 each to Muhammad Ziyad and Muhammad Hafiz, who would be participating in the Tokyo Games from August 24 to September 5, 2021.

— Bernama

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