KUCHING, Sept 22 (Bernama) -- Para athlete Muhammad Afnan Azhar is aiming for a hat-trick of gold medals in his third appearance at the Malaysian Para Games (Para SUKMA), which kicks off here tonight.
The 25-year-old, who also works as a part-time dwarf actor, said that in the previous editions held in Perak and Kuala Lumpur in 2018 and 2022, he only managed to bring home two gold medals. However, this time he is determined to clinch three golds in all the events he is participating in.
He shared that he is taking a break from acting to focus on training and hopes to break the national record at this sporting event taking place in the Land of the Hornbills.
"This time, I have done my utmost to pursue this hat-trick of gold. I have been training diligently including jogging and hiking morning and evening, seven days a week without a break. I truly hope to achieve this dream.
"The tough competition will certainly come from athletes in Sarawak, Sabah and Kelantan, but I am confident I can overcome them to win the gold medals," he told Bernama during a training session for the Perak athletics squad at the Sarawak Stadium today.
In the 2018 edition in Perak, Muhammad Afnan, competing in the F40 category won a gold medal in the javelin and shot put, as well as a silver medal in the discus.
In the 2022 edition in Kuala Lumpur, the athlete from Alor Setar, Kedah, secured two gold medals in the javelin and discus throws, while settling for a silver in shot put.
Meanwhile, Perak athletics coach RD Lawrence is optimistic that Muhammad Afnan can achieve his target of a hat-trick of golds this time after analysing the performances of other state competitors who will be competing in the Para SUKMA in Sarawak.
Lawrence, who also trains the Perak sprinting team, is confident that his squad can secure 11 gold medals in the sprint events.
"I am targeting these 11 golds based on their performances from last year’s edition, and I have thoroughly studied the capabilities of the other competitors. I believe Muhammad Fitri Abdullah can achieve three golds in the sprint and long jump events, while Noraini Mohd Shukri is set to win two golds in the sprints.
"Muhammad Faiz Haikal Rushi is also expected to claim three gold in the sprint events. Additionally, Muhammad Ashraf Hisham has the potential to secure three golds as well, and Muhammad Afnan also has the potential for three gold medals," he said.
He added that, apart from their performances in previous editions, his charges have been receiving intensive training since last year.
-- BERNAMA
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