Ziyad ready to launch gold hunt after a long break

KUALA LUMPUR: Now that the Hari Raya break is over, national para shot putt ace Mohd Ziyad Zolkefli (pic) is all set to kickstart his hunt for gold at international championships this season.

He said that his first target would be at the World Para Grand Prix in Morocco this month, followed by the Grand Prix in Paris (July) and the World Para Championships in New Delhi, India (October).

Ziyad has started his preparations right after the Paris Paralympics and continued training even during the Ramadan fasting month.

“The championships in Morocco will serve as a platform to reassess our potential again after such a long break since the Paralympic Games last year. Although it’s already April, it feels like I’m just starting my season and my quest for gold this year.

“This phase is also for me to identify my weaknesses and shortcomings before the World Championships in India,” he said.

Ziyad, however, expressed some concerns as he has not competed on the international stage for some time.

He added that he would also need to be cautious with his diet as his first competition is right after the Aidilfitri celebrations.

Ziyad failed in his bid to reclaim the gold medal in men’s shot put F20 category (intellectual disability) at the Paris Paralympics, settling for a silver medal with a throw of 17.18m at Stade de France.

Ziyad had previously taken bronze in London in 2012 before stepping up to clinch gold in Rio de Janeiro four years later. In the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics, he returned home empty handed. — Bernama