Endi cheered on after lifting a new national record of 107kg in the men’s 54kg powerlift. Inset: Endi proudly posing with his powerlift gold medal.
KUCHING : Sarawak’s powerlifter Endi Bak made a breakthrough in the 18th National Paralympic Games 2016, putting him in the history books by setting a new National Paralympiad record in the men’s 54kg event, not once but twice.
The 37-year old beat two other competitors to top the podium as he surpassed the previous record held by Sarawakian David Ak Sinda’s 95kg, which was set during the 2014 Paralimpiad XVII in Perlis.
Endi showed outstanding form in all three attempts – 90kg for his fi rst lift, 102kg in his second lift which was already a new record, and then with a third lift of 107kg at Dewan Jubilee Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) yesterday.
He beat Kedah’s Mohd Azmi Aziz@Asipun with his lift of 77kg, while Arimi Azman of Terengganu failed to make any lift, shutting him out of the medal tally.
Sa rawa k t eam manager Rahmatullah Morshidi burst into tears, overwhelmed by Endi’s success on Day 1 of the powerlift event.
“I’m very proud with Endi’s achievement. This is the first time I am leading the state Paralympiad powerlif contingent, and they have proven to be highly motived to succeed despite their disabilities. I didn’t expect Endi to set a new national record. All his hard labour paid off and we are grateful. ”
He said Endi’s excel lent showing has inspired Sarawak’s Paralympian powerli fters to succeed as well.
“The coach played a vital role in educating our athletes to focus on every match while adopting the ‘smart game’.
Endi has proven the effectiveness of this system, coupled with high motivation to win the fi rst gold medal for the state in powerlifting,” he said, adding that the state contingent will be a force to be reckoned with throughout the competition.