Ridzuan, Latif smash world records as Malaysia in seventh heaven

Rio Paralympics winner Ridzuan Puzi stamps his mark once again, this time triumphing in the Asian Para Games in Jakarta. — Bernama

PETALING JAYA: Rio Paralympic champions Ridzuan Puzi and Abdul Latif Romly set stunning new world records as the Malaysian contingent enjoyed their best day in Asian Para Games history in Jakarta.

Ridzuan set a new world and Asian record of 11.87 en route to winning the men’s 100m T36 (learning disability) gold medal tonight.

Ridzuan, who finished second in the event at the last Games in Incheon, South Korea four years ago, broke the previous record of 11.90 held by Russian Evgenii Shvetsov since 2013.

The Chinese sprinter, who was beaten by Ridzuan in Rio, clocked 11.91 to settle for silver.

Abdul Latif went on to retain his men’s long jump T20 final in 7.64m, bettering his own world record of 7.60m held when he won the gold at the Rio Paralympic two years ago.  

Siti Noor Iasah delivered the nation’s first gold at the Asian Para Games by winning the women’s 400m T20 final in 58.69 earlier in the day.

Mohd Nasharuddin quickly made it a glorious double for Malaysia by winning the men’s 400m T20 final in a new Asian record time of 49.32.

Nasharuddin also held the previous Asian record of 49.58, which he posted in Dubai earlier this year.

Malaysia also had first-time winners in cycling (2) and bowling (1) earlier in the day.