Return of the Heroes

0

Sarawak win Malaysian Paralympiad title, to host 2016 Games

VICTORIOUS: The jubilant Sarawak contingent together with Fatimah poses with the silverwares they won at the 16th Malaysian Paralympiad games upon arrival at the Kuching International Airport last night.

KUCHING: Sarawak stamped its mark as the undisputed champion of the Malaysian Paralympiad games with its continued domination by winning the title for an unprecedented 10th time this year.

With an extraordinary medal haul of 72 gold, 62 silver and 54 bronze, the state was crowned champion at the 16th Malaysian Paralympiad games that ended last Friday. The biggest contributor to Sarawak’s medal tally was swimming with 43 gold medals while athletics was second highest with 19 gold medals.

Johor finished in second place with 62 gold, 35 silver and 39 bronze medals while Melaka finished third on 28 gold, 26 silver and 19 bronze medal haul.

The Sarawak contingent arrived at Kuching International Airport at 10.25pm last night.

“I am satisfied with the results. Nevertheless we must not be complacent as other states especially Johor are fast catching up with us,” said Chef-de-mission Datuk Fatimah Abdullah, who is also Minister of Welfare, Women and Family Development, when met at the Kuching International Airport in an exclusive interview last night.

“We must plan and prepare early. We are preparing the strategy to maintain our supremacy. Congratulations to the state contingent and all of us in Sarawak are very proud of their achievement. They are our heroes,” she added.

Hosts Pahang with 20 gold, 14 silver and 16 bronze medals finished in sixth place compared with the 8th placing at the previous edition.

Kedah sprinter Amir Firdaus was crowned Athlete of the Competition in the men’s category after smashing two Malaysian Paralympiad records in the 100m and 200m and winning a silver in the 400m.

In the women’s category, Doriah Paulus of Sabah who set two new meet records en route to winning three gold medals, was crowned Athlete of the Competition in the women’s category.

The 16th Malaysian Paralympiad games featured 2,500 athletes and officials from 15 contingents who participated in 17 sports.