PARA SUKMA: MUHAMMAD ADIB HOLDS DEARLY TO WORLD CHAMP’S NUGGETS OF WISDOM

KUCHING, Sept 24 (Bernama) -- ‘Always pray, never disobey your mother and stay disciplined.’

These are the words of wisdom from defending world long jump champion T37 (physical impairment) Muhammad Nazmi Nasri to Johor athlete Muhammad Adib Siding, which he holds dearly for success in life.

 Muhammad Adib said those nuggets of wisdom also spurred him to a bronze medal finish in the men’s 400 metres (m) T20 (intellectual impairment) event in 52.71 seconds (s), on the second day of the athletics competition at the 2024 Malaysia Para Games (Para SUKMA) at the Sarawak Stadium here today.

Sabah’s Mohamad Razy Hafizul Mohamad took gold in 51.67s while Sarawak’s Muhammad Asyraaf Razali settled for silver in 51.79s.

The Pontian-born Muhammad Adib said he was lucky to have known Muhammad Nazmi since he was 10 when they competed in the Johor School Sports Council (MSSJ) meets, as the Paralympian would give him advice every time they met.

“Muhammad Nazmi also lives next to my village. If he returns to Johor, I will take the opportunity to meet him and seek his advice on performing consistently,” he told Bernama after the medal presentation ceremony. 

Muhammad Adib said he also looked up to Muhammad Ammar Aiman Nor Azmi, the gold medallist in the men’s 400m T20 event at the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Para Games, and would use his running technique as a guide during competition.

The 17-year-old Muhammad Adib also dedicated his bronze medal achievement in his maiden Para SUKMA outing to his 57-year-old mother, Siti Muslihat Ahmad, who had spent hundreds of ringgit and travelled back and forth from Pontian to take him to training sessions each week with his state para-athletics squad in Johor Bahru.

The Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Seri Sri Tanjung student, who has difficulty reading, said the spirit of athletics has been in him since childhood, as his mother and three siblings also took part in running events during their school days.

The youngest of six siblings is also determined to improve his performance and be more competitive at the next edition in Selangor.

-- BERNAMA