BRUNEI’S contingent to the 5th Asean Para Games in Kuala Lumpur returned home yesterday morning to a hero’s welcome after bagging a total of nine gold, five silver and seven bronze medals their best achievement so far.
In addition to the record-breaking haul of gold medals, three athletes also shattered three of the games records.
The three athletes that recorded new records were Alihan Muda (F35) in shot put (8.75m), Hirdan Hj Abd Kadir (F55) in discus (24.16m) and Shari Hj Jumat in javelin (25.17m).
However, the athlete that shone the most was Rosli Hj Hastan, a physically disabled athlete, who bagged three gold medals in discuss, shot putt and javelin.
In an interview, Rosli Hj Hastan said: ” I am very proud and delighted to have grab three gold medals for Brunei Darussalam. It was unexpected, I was targeting two gold medals and another gold medal is like an extra bonus for me.”
“Training eight months before the games has really helped me to boost my
performance,” he added.
Rosli who also won three gold medals in the Asean Para Games in Philippines also said: “In the next Asean Para Games, I hope to maintain my achievements or even add more gold medals fro Brunei.”
Meanwhile, Awang Haji Rosmadee Bin Hj Mohd Daud, the chef-de-mission of the Brunei contingent said: “I am very proud of their achievements, especially for those athletes who have work extremely hard. The achievements are unexpected but thanks to the training and preparation, our athletes managed to achieve a great feat today.”
“Actually, many of the athletes have also broken their personal records. I hope that they will continue to work hard and gain more success in the next Para Games.”
Present to receive theBrunei contingent at the airport was Awang Hj Mohammad Bin Hj Abd Rahman, the Acting Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports. Also present was Datin Hjh Adina binti Othman, the Director of Community Development as well as other officers from the department.
In previous outings, Brunei Darussalam took seven gold, six silver and four bronze medals in Manila and two gold, four silver and 10 bronze medals in Thailand.
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