PETALING JAYA: Lightning does strike twice. Mohd Nurdin Ibrahim again delivered the last medal for Malaysia as the national contingent celebrated their achievement in surpassing the 35-medal target at the Asian Para Games in Hangzhou.
The 25-year-old bagged the bronze in the men’s T20 1,500m final race at Huanglong Sports Centre Stadium yesterday.
Nurdin finished third in 4:19.95s and the bronze won was the 39th medal for the Malaysian contingent in Hangzhou.
Japan’s Kenta Okawachi took gold with 4:05.12s ahead of compatriot Daisuke Nakagawa (4:06.35s).
Interestingly, Nurdin also secured the final medal for Malaysia at the Asean Para Games in Cambodia in May where he won the men’s T20 5,000m race.
“This is one of the best years of my running career.
“This is my favourite event and I am happy to finally win a medal in the Asian Para Games,” said the 26-year-old, who has been running since he was a kid.
“I did not expect this as this is only my first appearance at the Asian Para Games level.’’
The Malaysian contingent thus closed their campaign in the Asian Para Games with a total of seven golds, 15 silvers and 17 bronzes.
The closing ceremony took place last night and the 39 medals won saw Malaysia place 12th overall.
Four sports - para athletics, para cycling, para swimming and boccia - managed to produce gold for Malaysia.
Athletics continue to be the toast of the Malaysian contingent with shot putter Ziyad Zolkefli and long jumper Abdul Latif Romly romping to their third straight gold medals in their respective pet events.
Mohd Ammar Aiman Nor Azmi also put up a stunning effort to set a new Asian record en route to taking gold in the men’s T20 400m race.
Reigning Paralympic and world champion para powerlifter Bonnie Bunyau Gustin lived up to expectations with a new Games record while Noor Askuzaimey Mat Salim lit up the boccia arena with a golden performance in the BC4 women’s individual.
Para swimmer Nur Syaiful Zulkafli put Malaysia on the golden trail from the first day of competition when he won the men’s SB4 100m breaststroke in a new Games record.
“It is a successful mission for the Malaysian contingent as we came here with a much smaller squad of only 113 athletes this time.
“That’s why we set a realistic target and only tried to come back with 35 medals.
“Half of the contingent were also making their debuts in the Asian Para Games level,” said chef de mission K.M. Rajendran.
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