PARA SUKMA: WHOPPING 78 GOLD MEDALS UP FOR GRABS TOMORROW

KUCHING, Sept 24 (Bernama) -- Competition at the 2024 Malaysia Para Games (Para SUKMA) is set to heat up tomorrow, with a whopping 78 gold medals up for grabs.

Of the total, 34 golds will be contested in track and field; 15 golds in swimming at the Pandelala Rinong Aquatic Centre; 12 golds in chess; six golds each in bowling and powerlifting; and five golds in table tennis.

Meanwhile, today’s competition saw four national records shattered in powerlifting and swimming.

Among those who stole the show were Kelantan powerlifter Ahmad Shamim Mohd Kadri, who broke the national record in the men’s 54-kilogramme (kg) category with a lift of 132kg, eclipsing his 125kg mark set at the National Circuit in February.

Bryan Junency Gustin, the older brother of national powerlifting ace Bonnie Bunyau, also set a national and Games record with a lift of 191kg in the 88kg category, a mere one kg more than the 190kg set by Nicodemus Manggoi Moses at the 2022 edition in Kuala Lumpur.

Sabah swimmer Shahafiq Abdullah also set a new national record in the men’s 100-metre (m) freestyle S6 (physical impairment) category by clocking 1 minute and 17.18 seconds (s) to erase his old mark of 1:17.92s set this year.

The Selangor quartet of Muhammad Zhafri Adam Mohd Azmi, Muhammad Alif Sufi Muhammad Azizul, Danish Haiqal Ahmad Firdaus and Nik Muhammad Joe Asyraf Nik Rafizal also broke the men’s 4x100m freestyle national record after clocking 4:02.06s to better the previous mark of 4:06.51s set in 2017.

Sarawak continued to lead the medal charge after raking in 37 golds, 23 silvers and 25 bronzes, followed by defending champions Sabah (28-15-12) and Selangor (13-18-16).

Sarawak Women, Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development Minister Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah urged the home contingent to stay focused and continue fighting to achieve their target of 83 gold medals to reclaim the title of overall champions.

“We can’t get comfortable just yet. Must stay focused and achieve the target before we can feel comfortable because every sport has its target. Some have not met their targets… the competition is intense.

“Sabah were champions last time and they’ll surely want to retain their title. Remember the bitter experience of being defeated by Sabah at the previous Para SUKMA. Think about how that felt and strengthen your resolve to achieve the target,” she told reporters today.

-- BERNAMA