PARA SUKMA: VETERAN PARA ATHLETE HUNTS FOR 20TH GOLD MEDAL

KUCHING, Sept 22 (Bernama) -- After overcoming the despair of losing his left arm in a road accident more than two decades ago, Hisam Che Soh @ Yusof has since put his focus on sports and today he is  looking at garnering his 20th gold medal in his 10 years of involvement in the Para Malaysia Games (Para SUKMA).

Narrating his background, the 43-year-old Terengganu representative who participated in the men’s shot put and discus throw (physical disability) F46 said that he almost chose to become a swimmer as he was a qualified swimming instructor.

But everything changed when he, who was affectionately called 'Sang Kudung' by villagers, was chosen to be the student of a teacher in Kemaman, Terengganu, and since then began an adventure in the world of athletics that seems to have been embedded in his soul since childhood.

The father-of-three said it was like a 'stepped on fortune' when he was then offered to make his debut at the biennial tournament in 2004 in Perak which saw him took home two golds and broke the games record.

"I was in an accident in 2002 and lost my left hand when it hit the car mirror while riding a motorcycle. I really felt very depressed until I found my talent in SUKMA in 2004.

"... and throughout these 10 editions, I have won 18 golds (two golds in each edition) and are looking for the 19th and 20th gold medals. For me, I don't want to say great or what, it just seems that competition from the younger generation is less likely because they are not interested enough, ” he told Bernama.

Hisam, who was once absorbed into the national squad in 2006, had to stop nine years later to take care of his sick father, but because of his love for sports, he continued to train at home.

However, he is not upset at all because shot put and discus throw can still be used as a means to support his family in the East Coast.

"I quit the national team not because my style of play was not good but because it was difficult to go back and forth to send my father to the hospital and now it has been almost five years since my late father left me.

"What I am fighting for is all because of my wife as she really understands my personal needs. For me, my wife is perfect," he said.

Para Sukma Games which was previously known as the National Games for the Disabled (1982-1996) and the Malaysian Paralympic Games (1998-2016) will see the 2024 edition officially open today until this Saturday (Sept 28).

-- BERNAMA