Eddy looking forward to winning a medal in Dubai

KUALA LUMPUR: Teenager Eddy Bernard is confident of delivering a medal in one of the two events he will be competing in at the Under-19 Asian Youth Para Athletics in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE), from Dec 10-14.

The 16-year-old from Sabah will take part in the boys’ 100m and long jump (both T37 cerebral palsy) events.

He is in high spirits after enjoying a golden debut in the KL Asean Para Games in September, where he set personal bests en route to winning both the events – clocking 12.45 seconds in 100m and clearing 5.76m in long jump.

The Form Four student of SMK Beluran in Sandakan believes “I can perform even better in my first Asian Youth Games”.

“I have been training hard under coach Tony (Sawan) and am looking forward to another memorable outing by winning a medal in one of the events,” said Eddy.

Coach Tony has also described Eddy as a “dedicated athlete, who trains hard”.

“He is excited to be featuring in the meet.

“It would be great if he can improve on his personal best in the 100m and long jump.

“I’m not sure of the strength of the other athletes in the Asian Youth meet, but it would be good to see how Eddy performs against the best in Asia,” said Tony.

Four other Malaysia para athletes will also be competing in the five-day meet.

They are S. Thavanesvaran – 100m, 200m, 400m (T44); Jacklon Ganding – 100m, 200m (T37); Muhd Zulhaizat Zainal Abidin – 400m (T13); and Felicia Mikat – 100m and 200m (T13).

(T44: amputation and others, including athletes with dwarfism; T37: cerebral palsy; T13: visual impairment).