Ziyad reacts after competing in the men's shot putt F20 final during the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics Games at the National Stadium in Tokyo, Japan on Aug 31, 2021. - AP
TOKYO: Ziyad Zolkefli was in smashing form as he delivered the perfect Merdeka gift for Malaysia, breaking the world record twice to retain his Paralympic men's shot putt F20 title at the Olympic Stadium in Tokyo.
UPDATE: Ziyad's gold medal win disqualified on technical grounds after protest
Ziyad smashed his own world record of 17.29m set at the World Para Athletics Championships in London in 2017, recording 17.31m with his first throw to give Malaysian contingent the second gold medal in Tokyo on Tuesday (Aug 31).
Ukrainian Koval Maksym was hot on his heels as he erased Ziyad's mark with 17.34m on his third attempt.
Ziyad, who was the last in the field of eight finalists to throw, responded immediately with a stunning effort of 17.94m.
Ziyad went on to hurl 17.62m, 16.31m and 16.39m in the remaining three attempts.
Maksym tried his best to deny the Malaysian but had to be content with his only effort over 17m for the evening.
Another Ukrainian, Oleksandr Yarovyi, won the bronze with 17.30m.
Amazingly, Ziyad's effort is better than the new national record for able-bodied athletes.
Ziyad bettered the previous national record of 17.54m held by Adi Aliffudin Hussin since 2011.
Powerlifter Bonnie Bunyau Gustin won the first gold in the men's 72kg event on Saturday (Aug 29).
