KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysia’s Paralympics champion Datuk Abdul Latif Romly is confident of soaring to his fourth straight gold in the 11th Asean Para Games (APG), which begins in Solo on Saturday.
The 25-year-old athlete, who has won the men’s long jump F20 event (intellectual impairment) since making his debut in the 2013 edition in Myanmar, said he had made all the necessary preparations to defend his title.
Despite being out of action for almost two years due to a groin injury suffered at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics where he retained the gold, the world champion said he should prevail again in Solo.
“I have fully recovered from the injury. InsyaAllah I will bring home gold again. My best jump this year is 7.48m which I did during training, and I’m 100 percent ready.
“I’m not sure of the competition in Solo because the games have not been held for five years. However, I, just like other athletes, are happy that it can be held this year,” said Abdul Latif, who holds the world record of 7.64m set at the 2018 Asian Para Games in Jakarta.
Meanwhile, national flag-bearer at the Solo APG, Mohd Zikri Zakaria, is targeting a silver in the shot put F55 event (wheelchair) on his second appearance at the games.
“I can achieve this target if I can improve my throwing technique and control my emotions, because I lack experience at APG,” said Mohd Zikri, who has been doing well in training.
Mohd Zikri, who participated in discus and javelin in the 2017 edition in Kuala Lumpur, said he opted for shot put this time because he felt his chances are better in this event.
The 2019 edition in the Philippines (early 2020) and 2021 APG in Vietnam were cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic, which prompted Indonesia to step in and host the 11th edition from July 30 to August 6 in Solo. – Bernama, July 25, 2022
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