PARA SUKMA: ABID POWERS TO GOLD DESPITE TRAINING IN PARKING LOT

By Rozlin Rusharmeen Rosmin

KUCHING, Sept 27 (Bernama) -- Negeri Sembilan powerlifting ace Abid Zuhairi Mohd Johari is proof that where there is a will, there is a way.

With no hall or gymnasium to train in, the 30-year-old would use a nearby vacant parking lot to prepare for the 2024 Malaysia Para Games (Para SUKMA).

And, today, he set a new Games record and national record for best lift in the men's above 107-kilogramme (kg) event en route to two gold medals for best lift and total lift.

The 30-year-old, a father of two, lifted 122kg in his third attempt to erase his previous national mark of 111kg in the best lift category.

"Our weekend trainings are held at the parking space of our team manager's (Norsiah Mohamad) house in Rembau. We rely on DIYs when it comes to equipment… we all chip in some money and we also get aid from the Negeri Sembilan Youth and Sports Department.

"I never contemplated giving up as I was focused on getting the gold medal and beating my personal record… if possible, I hope to represent Malaysia in the ASEAN Para Games in Thailand next year,” he told Bernama.

Abid's never-say-die attitude also saw him win the gold medal for a total lift of 359kg (116kg-121kg-122kg), leaving Selangor's Rusdi Arman Alias and Perak's Muhammad Haris’s Putra Muhammad Azizul Bahrin settling for silver and bronze.

The Negeri Sembilan powerlifters were in a class of their own at this edition, taking home four golds, three silvers and two bronzes.

-- BERNAMA