To my father with love!

Youngster Anas dedicates the gold to dad after breaking 100m freestyle record

ANAS Zul Amirul Sidi hated his fat ther for throwing him into the Saraw wak River when he was only five years old.

But the first person the 16-yearold reached out to after climbing out of the pool yesterday was his father Zul Amirul Sidi Abdullah, who is also in the national swimming team.

Anas became the first Malaysian gold medallist at the Kuala Lumpur Asean Para Games swimming competition after winning the men’s (S14) 100m freestyle at the National Aquatic Centre in Bukit Jalil. And Anas did it in style, clocking 59.79 in the category for athletes with intellectual disabilities to break the Games record of 1:02.88 set by Singaporean Benson Tan in Myanmar in 2014. Benson settled for the silver in 1:01.38 w while Malaysian Zadrian Chan bagged the b bronze in 1:01.70.

Anas dedicated the win to his father, who is also a former Malaysian Paralympian and a bronze medallist at the 2010 World Para Swimming Championships in Holland. “My dad was my idol and the reason I became a swimmer.

“My dad was born with an impairment to his right hand and both his legs.

“He struggled to become a good swimmer but his determination was so strong that I wished I could become like him.

“I failed in the 200m freestyle yesterday (Monday) because of a stomach upset.

“My dad asked me not to give up. Thanks to him, I have become a champion in my first Asean Para Games,” said Anas as tears welled up in his eyes.

“This gold is for him. When I was small, I was scared of water.

“My dad threw me into the river and I hated him for a while.

“But he was the one who encouraged me a lot.”

Zul Amirul, who has been representing the country for 15 years, also made up his mind to retire.

“The reason I fought to be in the Asean Para Games team despite my age was to encourage my son.

“Today he has become a champion and it’s time for me to quit swimming.

“I’ve achieved my dream to see my son follow in my footsteps and win gold at the Asean Para Games,” said the 45-year-old.

Three musketeers: It was a day of triple joy as the three Malaysian gold medallist (from left) Yoong Chung Wei (50m butterfly S14 event), Jamery Siga (50m buttefly S5) and Anas Zul Amirul Sidi (100m freestyle S14) celebrate their victories.

Joyful embrace: Malaysian para swimmer Anas Zul Amirul Sidi celebrating his victory with his father Zul Amirul Sidi Abdullah after winning 100m freestyle S14 event at the National Aquatic Centre in Bukit Jalil.