Ziyad hoping to be third Malaysian to smash world record

KUALA LUMPUR: Ironman Muhammad Ziyad Zolkefli wants to be the third Malaysian to break the world record in the Asian Para Games in Jakarta by giving a powerful show in the men’s shot putt F20 (learning disability).

He is inspired by his teammates Mohamed Ridzuan Puzi and Abdul Latif Romly.

Both set new world records in the men’s 100m T36 (cerebral palsy) and in the men’s long jump F20 (learning disability) respectively on Tuesday.

Ridzuan clocked a personal best of 11.87 while Abdul Latif rewrote his world record with a leap of 7.64m.

The 28-year-old Ziyad is currently the world record holder in shot putt after hurling a distance of 17.29m which he set en-route to winning gold in the World Para Athletics Championships in London last year.

He bettered his previous world record mark of 16.84m, which he set to win gold in the Rio Paralympics in 2016.

The two-time world champion Ziyad said it was his turn to seize the moment.

“Ridzuan and Abdul Latif ’s efforts have motivated me. I’ve broken the world record twice and I can do it again,” said Ziyad.

“It’ll be really nice to complete my last competition this year by defending my gold and break the world record,” added Ziyad, who hurled 15.32m to win the gold in the last Asian Para Games in Incheon four years ago.