Ridzuan has fighting chance for sprint gold

PETALING JAYA: Mohd Ridzuan Puzi (pic) was a phenomenon at the 2018 Asian Para Games in Jakarta where he won three gold medals but the veteran has struggled to maintain his supremacy due to the top class opposition in Hangzhou.

However, the 36-year-old veteran has continued his fight and is in the men’s T36 100m final, which will take place today.

Ridzuan qualified as the second fastest by registering 12.17s in the heats as China’s Yang Yifei was the fastest qualifier with 12.13s.

The time was also his season best and Ridzuan, who has a personal best of 11.87s, has the opportunity to end the games with a podium finish and even a fighting chance to challenge for gold.

Malaysia’s hopes for medal in the women’s T20 long jump did not materialise when Nani Shahiera Zawawi (4.90m) and Nur Hidayah Izaha (4.73m) finished fourth and fifth respectively.

The event was won by Sonomi Sakai of Japan with a Games record leap of 5.37m while her compatriot Rio Kawaguchi (5.32m) secured silver. Indonesian Rica Octavia clinched bronze with 5.14m.