The curtain falls on the 5th Asian Para Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, tomorrow (Oct 24), but for para-athlete Mohd Ammar Aiman Nor Azmi, a new chapter in his sporting journey is already taking shape.
His silver medal finish in the men’s T20 400m on Oct 20 was a hard-fought result, with Ammar throwing himself across the finish line in pursuit of gold. Though narrowly beaten, the performance has given him fresh impetus to set his sights on future competitions.
Saudi Arabia’s Idris Sufyani took gold in 48.25s at Nagoya City Mizuho Park Athletic Stadium, while Ammar, making his second appearance at the Games, clocked 48.34s – just 0.09 seconds behind.
Speaking on stage and later during a media session at Toyota’s One Team Asia event in Nagoya on Oct 21, Ammar made little effort to mask his disappointment at missing out on gold and falling short of defending the Asian title he won in Hangzhou, China in 2023.
“I’m disappointed not to have won gold, but I have to accept the result, learn from it and keep working. There are more opportunities ahead, and I want to come back stronger,” said Ammar, 24, who has established himself as a strong contender in the T20 400m.
Para-athletics caters to athletes with eligible physical, intellectual or vision impairments. Classifications are denoted by T for track, marathon and jumping events, and F for field events.
For Ammar, one of his biggest inspirations is fellow Malaysian para-athlete Datuk Abdul Latif Romly, whose achievements on the international stage show what is possible with hard work and determination.
Staying on track
As the youngest and newest member of the Global Team Toyota Athletes (GTTA), Ammar has a support network to help him realise his potential.
With the 2026 Asian Para Games behind him, Ammar now has his sights set on the 2028 Paralympic Games in Los Angeles, with the World Para Athletics Championships in Uzbekistan next June among the milestones ahead.
“I have a short break coming up, and I’m looking forward to getting some rest and recharging. Then, let’s see what 2027 brings, with the World Para Athletics Championships in Uzbekistan on the calendar. I want to see how far I can push myself ahead of these major competitions.”
During the One Team Asia fireside chat, he also spoke with confidence about his sporting journey, recalling how badminton was his childhood passion before athletics entered the picture.
“I kept losing at badminton, so switching to athletics was probably for the best,” he said with a laugh.
Through Toyota’s backing, particularly its recent One Team Asia showcase, Ammar is gaining opportunities to present himself not only as a sprinter, but also as a person beyond the track.
Asked to assemble a small display of personal memorabilia, Ammar chose a photograph of himself winning a cross-country race at his school in Batu 24, Pekan Nenas, Johor. Among his prized possessions is a drumstick belonging to Blink-182 drummer Travis Barker, while his jersey and race bib from the Hangzhou Asian Para Games in 2023 serve as reminders of the standards he has set for himself.
“There is a lot of seriousness and focus during training, but I also believe in enjoying the hours I put in. That is where music comes in. I love Blink-182,” he said.
Dual Hero Project
Just as valuable are the friendships forged within the GTTA family, particularly with celebrated Vietnamese para-powerlifter Le Van Cong, whose own sporting journey offers a source of encouragement.
At the One Team Asia event, Ammar and Cong shared their GTTA experiences, reflecting on their sporting careers and community work beyond competition.
Toyota Motor Asia launched the GTTA programme in 2018 to help athletes across Asia pursue their sporting goals, supporting more than 20 athletes to date.
Through its Dual Hero Project, also introduced in 2018, athletes receive support to develop community initiatives around causes close to their hearts.
Hao Quoc Tien, president of Toyota Motor Asia (Singapore), said an athlete’s influence extends beyond sporting achievements to the difference they can make in their communities and the example they set for younger generations.
“Every athlete we support has a project in their community to nurture the spirit, knowledge and interest of local people. We believe that winning competitions gives them greater credibility in promoting what they want to do,” said Hao.
The exchange of ideas among GTTA members also allows their community work to inspire one another, showing how sporting ambition can translate into wider social impact.
“Winning therefore means a great deal to me. As a sponsor, seeing the athletes we support bring about positive change in their communities is also a major achievement for Toyota,” he added.
In Vietnam, Cong runs a children’s art project, while Filipino para-swimmer Ernie Gawilan has led a nationwide coastal clean-up campaign, and para-cyclist Muhammad Fadli champions road safety among children.
The experiences of fellow GTTA members have encouraged Ammar to consider how he, too, can contribute beyond competition. Through upcoming Toyota initiatives, he hopes to promote more inclusive facilities and wider access to sport.
“I’ve learned about what other GTTA members are doing in their respective countries, and I want to do my part for Malaysia, too,” said Ammar.
