SHOT PUTTER ZIYAD SETS ANOTHER RECORD
World-class Ziyad now holds four records at four different levels
PARA athlete Ziyad Zolkefli is clearly a world-class shot putter.
The 27-year-old from Gombak now has the distinction of holding four records at the Asean, Asian (unofficial), Paralympic and world levels.
His latest feat was achieved at the Kuala Lumpur Asean Para Games yesterday.
Despite not training much, he still smashed his own men’s shot putt F20 (learning disability) record by more than 1m at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil.
Ziyad hurled to a new distance of 16.81m in his sixth and last throw to erase his previous mark of 15.69m set in Myanmar in 2014.
His first five throws were 15.44m, 16.49m, 16.32m, 16.37m and 16.52m.
“I feel on top of the world and I’m really proud of my success,” said Ziyad after winning his fourth consecutive Asean Para Games gold.
He made a golden debut in 2011 in Indonesia before breaking the Asean Para Games record in Myanmar. He retained the gold in Singapore in 2015.
“I was only expecting to throw about 15m today as I did not train much after winning the bronze in the KL SEA Games last month.
“I surprised even myself by throwing more than 16m to better my own records several times,” said Ziyad, who is fast becoming a role model and idol to many para athletes in Malaysia.
“I dedicate this medal to them. I want more para athletes to follow in my footsteps. I want them to go out and win medals and break records.”
Ziyad’s efforts yesterday were also better than his own Asian record of 15.78m which he did in Beijing in 2015.
However, his mark will not be considered as the new Asian record because the Asean Para Games are not sanctioned by the world body (International Paralympic Committee).
He also holds the world record of 17.29m, which he set en route to the gold at the World Para Athletics Championships in London in July.
Ziyad also holds the Paralympic record of 16.84m, which he achieved on his way to the gold in Rio de Janeiro last year.
He also became the first para athlete to win a medal – bronze – against able-bodied athletes during the KL SEA Games last month with a throw of 17.12m.
“It feels fantastic to win golds and hold the records at the Asean, Asian, Paralympics and world levels,” said Ziyad, who was also happy that teammate Mohamad Aliff Mohamad Awi won the silver after clearing 12.79m.
Thailand’s Sanepoot Boonkong (11.99m) took the bronze.
“Aliff is a budding athlete with a bright future. He needs to continue to train hard.
“I believe he is the best person to replace me when I retire,” said Ziyad, who will now focus on winning the gold at the Asian Para Games in Jakarta in October next year.