A thrilling finish
Malaysia’s Nasharuddin Mohd (right) and Indonesian Felipus Kolymau (left) lying on the track after both lunged for the finish line in the men’s 400m T20 (intellectual disability) race of the Asean Para Games at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil yesterday. Both clocked 49.85 seconds. Inset: Nasharuddin is all smiles after winning the gold.
NASHARUDDIN Mohd screamed for joy after being confirmed as the gold-medal winner in a photo finish in the men’s 400m T20 (intellectual disability) race at the Kuala Lumpur Asean Para Games.
The 22-year-old was neck-and-neck with Indonesian Felipus Kolymau right until the finish line.
Both runners stumbled and crashed across the finish line almost simultaneously. Both clocked 49.85 seconds.
Endi Nurdin Tine, also of Indonesia, took the bronze in 51.58.
The win was exceptionally sweet for Muar-born Nasharuddin as he lost at the line to Felipus at the 2015 Singapore Para Games.
This is Nasharuddin’s first gold medal since winning the 400m at the Incheon Asian Para Games in 2015.
Nasharuddin, who is ranked No. 5 in the world, finished sixth at the Rio Paralympics last year and was fifth at the World Para Athletics Cham-pionships in London in July.
“I’m really happy. It means a lot to me especially since were the hosts,” said Nasharuddin who made his national team debut in 2013.
“It’s really satisfying beating Felipus this time. I lost to him narrowly two years ago.
“I trained so hard for these Games. I gave up a lot of holidays just to make sure I was in good shape here.
“Towards the final stretch, I kept telling myself that I could do it and pushed myself all the way.
“I knew my whole family from Muar was here to support me. I felt their presence in the crowd and that made me push ever harder.
“I also have Ziyad Zolkefli (shot putt T20) to thank for this win. He’s my idol and my best friend. I’ve known him since the 2013 Naypyidaw Games and he really inspires me a lot.”
Nasharuddin’s win is also a good boost for him ahead of the Asian Para Games in Jakarta next year.
Malaysia finished strongly on the second day of the competition with eight golds, bringing their tally to 14 thus far.
The other Malaysian gold medallists were Muhd Zulhaizat Zainal Abidin (men’s 400m T13), S. Thavanesvaran (men’s 400m T44), Muhd Ashraf Haisham (men’s 800m T46), Eddy Bernard (men’s long jump T37), Mohd Erwan Hasnoor (men’s long jump T38), Hemala Devi Eni Kutty (women’s shot putt F11/F2) and Umi Syuhaidah Idris (women’s shot putt F37).