Dynamic duo: Fareez (left) and Yusman.
PETALING JAYA: Para shuttler Mohd Yusman Zahar dreams of representing the country just like his doubles partner Mohd Fareez Anuar in the ongoing Para Sukma (Malaysia Games).
And Yusman did his chances of getting called up for the national team a world of good when he made it into both the singles (SL4) and doubles finals in his debut campaign yesterday.
In the singles, the 34-year-old from Johor was comfortably leading 21-13, 17-10 in his semi-final match against teammate Mohd Asree Roslee when the latter injured himself and had to retire.
Before that, Yusman had combined with Fareez to easily beat Federal Territories’ Suhaimi Robini-Syahrul Feezwan Samat 21-7, 21-10 in the doubles last four.
“I’m so happy that I managed to reach the finals. Fareez and I had targeted to do so and we are glad that we have now secured medals for Johor. I’m hoping to prove my capabilities to the national selectors. My dream is to represent the national team just like Fareez. In the finals tomorrow (today), we will give our very best,” said Yusman.
Yusman, who was working as a lecturer in the Malaysian Construction Academy, had suffered a permanent injury in his right ankle last year and had chosen to pursue a career in para badminton.
While he is hoping for an opportunity to represent the country, Fareez, who won a bronze medal in the Para Asean Games this year, has set his sights on qualifying for the Paris 2024 Paralympics.
“I joined the national team in February. My biggest achievement to date is winning bronze in the doubles along with Cheah Liek Hou in the Para Asean Games. After the Sukma, I want to focus on collecting as many ranking points as possible to qualify for the Paralympics,” said Fareez, who is also making his first appearance in the Para Sukma.
The 26-year-old also made it into the men’s singles (SU5) final after brushing aside Suhaimi 21-12, 21-7.
Fareez will take on Sabah’s Shah Rizan Daud for the gold.
In the doubles final, he and Yusman will also meet Rizan and his partner Gerald Simbaku.
