PETALING JAYA: Sprinter Eddy Bernard was least expected to win a medal in the Paralympics T44 100m race based on his season’s best result at the Stade de France.
But Eddy, who was born with a small right leg and a disjointed finger, was having the last laugh on Sunday.
The 23-year-old did not only become Malaysia’s first athlete to win a medal in Paris but his time of 11.58s that led to a bronze was also an Asian record.
He erased the old mark of 11.75 set by Sri Lanka’s Indika Gamage.
Eddy’s previous best was only 11.77s, which he had timed at the World Championships in Kobe, Japan.
South Africa’s Mpumelelo Mhlongo took gold with a time of 11.12s, while Cuba’s Luis Vives Suares won silver with 11.20s.
Even Eddy was surprised, after all, he was only ranked fifth out of nine competitors based on the fastest time set this year.
The boy from Beluran, Sabah, thanked his coach and former international Hamberi Mahat for giving him a simple instruction – do not overthink!
“Coach Hamberi’s words are simple but powerful. Before the final, my coach told me to just think about myself, and not what’s around me. I just went ahead and blazed past everything.
“It worked like magic, I’m grateful for his words. Now, I’m finally a Paralympic medallist. It is a great feeling.”
Eddy, who is a big fan of Canadian sprinter Andre de Grasse, was honoured to win the medal just a day after Malaysia celebrated Merdeka Day.
“This is my gift to Malaysia and everyone back home,” he said.
The bronze medal finish has whetted Eddy’s appetite to go for gold at the next Paralympics in Los Angeles. He will be 27 then, which is considered a peak age for sprinters.
“There are many who are better physically but I don’t focus on them. I know I can do it if I do not look at my disabilities too. I always make it a point to stay positive,” said Eddy, who is the youngest of six siblings.
“But sometimes, just like anyone else, I tend to feel low and doubt whether I can reach greater heights. Fortunately, I’ve also found ways to ignore those thoughts.”
