CYCLISTS, ATHLETES IN THEIR ELEMENTS

Deliver a total of 11 gold medals for hosts

THE national track cycling and athletics squads both lived up to expectations as they delivered a combined 11 gold medals for Malaysia at the Kuala Lumpur Asean Para Games yesterday (Para KL2017).

The national track cyclists, who delivered seven gold on Sunday, won another five gold to complete a clean sweep of the 12 gold on offer in the sport at the National Velodrome in Nilai.

Amin Najmi Romzi-Firdaus Zonis (pilot) and Nur Azlia Syafinaz Mohd Zais-Noraidillina Adilla J. Sam (pilot) were in their element as they romped to the men’s 4km and women’s 3km pursuit B class (blind/visually impaired) gold medals on tandem bikes.

The physical impairment categories witnessed Malaysia bagging the 3km individual pursuit C1, C2, C3 (mixed class) gold through Shukor Farhan Suliman as well as the 4km individual pursuit C4 and C5 gold’s via Najib Turano and Zuhairie Ahmad Tarmizi.

The cycling competition will resume with the road events tomorrow.

Malaysia is expected to win at least 40 gold through track and field and got of to a good start at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil yesterday.

Siti Noor Radiah Ismail and Siti Noor Iasah Mohamad Ariffin, who both shone at the Rio Paralympics last year, did not disappoint as they romped to the women’s long jump and 800m gold medals (both T20 learning disability) respectively.

Hemala Devi Enu Kutty, a two time para Sportswoman of the Year, also did not disappoint as she eased to the womens discuss F12 (visual impairment) gold.

Malaysia’s other two gold came via Faridul Masri in the men’s javelin F56 (limb, muscle or range impairment) and Afiq Mohamad Ali Hanafiah in the 100m T12 (visual impairment).

With 18 gold in the bag after two days of competition, the national contingent is well on its way to achieving its 103 gold medal target.

And the medals will continue to flow today.

Another 28 gold are up for grabs in athletics, 15 in swimming and nine in tenpin bowling, all sports which have been earmarked as goldmines for Malaysia.

Another four will also be decided in the paralifting competition.