FROM HOBBY TO HERO: WHEELCHAIR-BOUND ARCHER NURUL FARHA INSPIRES WITH FOUR GOLD MEDALS

KUCHING, Sept 26 (Bernama) -- Nurul Farha Abdul Hamid only began learning archery four years ago as a hobby and to exercise her arms after experiencing health issues that left her reliant on a wheelchair.

However, in a short span of time, she has managed to rise above her circumstances and capture attention at the Malaysia Para Games (Para SUKMA) this year by winning four gold medals in the compound archery events at the Petra Jaya Archery Range.

The 37-year-old athlete from Ipoh, Perak, triumphed in the women’s individual event, the women’s team event alongside D. Anna Maria, and the mixed team event with K. Kumar today, after securing gold in the qualifying round with a score of 616 points last Monday.

Sharing her story with Bernama, Nurul Farha explained that she has been dealing with heart problems and chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP), a nerve disease that can lead to paralysis, since 2017.

“At that time, I was just four months postpartum. I fell several times while walking before discovering I had this health issue. I also have a blood condition that leaves my antibodies depleted."

“At first, I felt a bit mentally down, but I didn’t lose hope. I tried to stay positive, didn’t give up, and wanted to rise again for my child. After undergoing physiotherapy, I was able to move my arms.

“Then, when I went to the hospital for follow-up treatment, a doctor encouraged me to take up archery so I wouldn’t just sit at home doing nothing. It served as an exercise to keep using my arms, as otherwise, I could risk becoming paralysed again. This sport has changed my life,” she said.

Her success has helped Perak secure the top spot in archery at this year's Para SUKMA, with four golds, three silvers and two bronzes, followed by Kuala Lumpur (2-1-1), Penang (1-1-3), Pahang (1-0-1), and Terengganu (1-0-1).

Five more golds are up for grabs in the recurve archery discipline tomorrow.

-- BERNAMA