Terrific Afiq at the double
ONE-EYED athlete Afiq Ali won his second gold at the Asean Para Games in a convincing manner in the men’s T12 200m after clocking 23.56s yesterday.
On Monday, the well-built sprinter won the 100m by beating two Thai favourites, Chaiya SomDech and Wongngoen Amnat, when he clocked 11.45s.
Afiq was born normal but a freak accident, when he was 12, left him blind in the left eye.
“I was fooling around with my elder brother just before bedtime. While I was lying down faceup, my brother turned around and his elbow smashed into my left eye.
“My eye ‘burst’ due to the impact and could not be saved. I don’t blame anybody for the accident, and have overcome it long time ago,” he said.
Afiq is a full time athlete and holds the Asean Para Games 200m record of 23.32s, which he clocked at the 2015 Singapore Games.
“My pet event is the 200m, but I was told to compete in the 100m as well this year and I am glad I ran the race.
“It’s a great boost for my confidence (two gold) as I did not run at this year’s Para World Championships in London. I was injured and couldn’t compete.”
He carries another weight on his shoulders — a back injury suffered two years ago.
“It still bothers me when I run, but I just push it to the back of my mind in both the races.”
Malaysia finished second overall in athletics with 36 gold, 27 silver and 30 bronze.
Indonesia were crowned champions with 40 gold 28 silver and 17 bronze. Thailand were third on 26 gold 33 silver and 31 bronze.