DEKWAN'S SHOES THE SECRET TO MAHFUDZ'S RUNNING FEAT FOR PERLIS

KUCHING, Sept 26 (Bernama) -- National athletics star Mohamad Ridzuan Mohamad Puzi's gifted shoes have been the secret weapon for Perlis athlete Mahfudz Mahzan in ensuring he didn't leave empty-handed at the 2024 Malaysia Para Games (Para SUKMA) in Sarawak today.

Speaking to Bernama, the 25-year-old runner, who won the silver medal in the men's 800 metres (m) event, said he 'borrows’ the spirit of his idol, also known as 'Dekwan', by wearing the shoes every time he races to chase a medal for Perlis.

He added that the inspiration he drew from the shoes kept him from giving up, even as he commuted daily between Kedah and Perlis by motorcycle—a journey of about an hour each way—to prepare for Para SUKMA 2024.

"Dekwan gave me the shoes in 2020 which I use for running, it motivates me a lot to win a medal for Perlis, so I could tolerate the days of shuttling back and forth from Kedah to Perlis. In the morning, I help my mother sell soap, and in the afternoon go to Perlis for training," he said when met at the Sarawak Stadium here today.

In the 800m T36 (physical disability) final, Mahfudz scooped the silver medal with a time of 2:53.72s to finish behind Kedah's Mohd Arman Rosli (2:53.42s), while the bronze medal went to Sarawak’s Mohamad Hishamudin Razali (3:02.91s).

This was Mahfudz’s third medal at Para SUKMA 2024 after winning silver in the 1500m and bronze medal in the 200m events.

In the meantime, Mahfudz said he aspired to be a successful athlete like Dekwan as a fitting tribute to his mother for her sacrifices.

"My mother sells soap, my father does not work, I want to make my father happy (too), by being successful like Dekwan," he said.

-- BERNAMA