Malaysian athletes are lighting up Paralympics 2020 with a string of honours to their names.
The 2020 Tokyo Paralympics Games delivered the country with propitious news in conjunction with the Merdeka Day and the fast-approaching Malaysia Day.
With 22 para-athletes partaking in 9 sports, a number of whom are world-record holders and winners at the 2016 Rio Paralympics Games, Malaysia ended the quest for medals in spectacular fashion. The country secured three gold and two silver medals for the best-ever finish at the Paralympics. Find out who they are and how they won it.
Bonnie Bunyau Gustin
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Powerlifter and current world-record holder Bonnie Bunyau Gustin, who competed in the men’s 72kg category, clinched Malaysia’s first-ever gold medal in powerlifting at the Paralympics by jacking up 228kg, breaking the Games’ record of 227kg set in 2016, by Rasool Mohsin from Iraq in the process. Bonnie holds the current world record of 230kg, which he etched in June 2021 at 11th Fazza Dubai Powerlifting World Cup.
Jong Yee Khie
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The second powerlifter to win Malaysia’s second medal in this edition of the Paralympics also happens to be the second athlete born and raised in Sarawak. Yee Khie contested in the men’s 107kg event where he secured a silver medal by hoisting 237kg. Competing for the second time at the Paralympics, the ex-hairdresser finished behind gold medallist Sodnompiljee Enkhbayar, from Mongolia, who erased the previous Paralympics record twice in the same event by setting the Games’ new record of 245kg.
Chew Wei Lun
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Boccia player Chew Wei Lun had a dream debut at the Paralympics by snatching a silver medal. Competing in the mixed individual BC1 event, the 26-year-old lost narrowly to defending champion David Smith in the final. Edging out higher-ranked players, Wei Lun was guaranteed at least a silver medal finish by virtue of advancing to the final.
Cheah Liek Hou
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Malaysia won its maiden Paralympic gold medal in badminton courtesy of Cheah Liek Hou, who bested his opponent from Indonesia in straight sets of 21-17, 21-15, in the men’s singles SU5 event. The number 2 seed representing Malaysia rose to the occasion by edging out top-seed Dheva Anrimusthi in a match lasting 50 minutes. Badminton made its debut in the Paralympics in Tokyo. Liek Hou breezed through the competition, dropping only a single set, which occurred in the semi-final.
Abdul Latif Romly
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The country’s flag bearer at the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro is now a two-time Paralympic gold medallist with a victory in Tokyo adding to his triumph in Brazil. Competing in the T20 men’s long jump event and despite his injury, Abdul Latif Romly recorded 7.45m to place first on the podium.
Muhammad Ziyad Zolkefli
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Shot putter Muhammad Ziyad Zolkefli seemingly won his second gold medal at successive Paralympics with a stunning effort on Merdeka Day, smashing his own world record of 17.29m set at the World Para Athletics Championships in London in 2017, to ink a new benchmark of 17.94m. Competing in the F20 category, Ziyad was on song throughout the evening, hurling 17.31m with his first attempt and 17.62m in one of his final three throws. His new world record is also an improvement on the Malaysian national record for able-bodied athletes of 17.54m. However, his victory was disqualified on technical grounds upon the completion of the event much to Malaysians’ chagrin.
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Hero and feature images by Hiroki Nishioka on Paralympic.org
Justin Ng
Digital Content Director, Kuala Lumpur
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