Shot putter Ziyad turns into a ‘night owl’, feels fresher during Ramadan

No let-up: Mohd Ziyad Zolkefli is even more motivated to train during the fasting month.

KUALA LUMPUR: For national para athlete Mohd Ziyad Zolkefli, the month of Ramadan is not merely a time for worship, but also a period to maintain a high level of athletic discipline.

Unwilling to allow his training intensity to ease during the holy month, the men’s shot putt F20 (intellectual disability) gold medallist at the 2016 Rio Paralympic Games is prepared to become a ‘night owl’, training on the field until the early hours of the morning.

Ziyad also admitted that he feels fresher and more energised when training during Ramadan.

“My training schedule, which is usually during the day, has now changed.

“I allocated about two hours for weightlifting training at the gym, from 4pm to 6pm, before continuing with throwing practice at night after prayers, from 9.30pm until 2am.

“I feel fresher as I get sufficient rest during the day, and I am even more motivated to train during Ramadan,” he said.

Fresh from winning gold at the Asean Para Games in Korat, Thailand, last month, Ziyad is now sharpening his edge for the World Para Athletics Grand Prix in Rabat, Morocco from April 23-26.

He said that he was carrying forward the momentum from Korat, with the aim of clinching gold at the championships at the Olympic Stadium in Rabat.

“The success in Morocco will serve as an additional boost before I compete at the Asian Para Games (from Oct 18-24 in Japan).

Ziyad is a three-time consecutive gold medallist in the men’s shot putt F20 event at the Asian Para Games, and also holds the Asian record of 17.43m, set in Japan in 2024. — Bernama