Naughty boy of Kpg Paya Kelubi shines in Rio

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ARAU: Tireless effort and the strong determination of a young lad with disabilities from Kampung Paya Kelubi, Bukit Keteri, here, has led to Malaysia clinching its third gold in the 2016 Paralympic Games 2016 in Rio de Janeiro.

Abdul Latif Romly, 19, beat 11 other contestants with a jump of 7.60m in the men’s long jump T20 (learning disability) event en route to the gold in Rio today. Not only that he set a new world record, erasing the old mark of 7.35m which he himself set at the IPC World Athletics Championships in Doha, Qatar last year.

His mother, Salmah Yatim, 58, said her youngest son who was diagnosed with learning disability was a blessing for her and his achievement today was outstanding despite his young age.

“I am overwhelmed, it is like a dream seeing my son who was quite a naughty boy make such a great achievement, he makes us proud,” she said, shedding tears of joy after watching the ‘live’telecast of the event at the Arau parliamentary constituency Service Centre, here Sunday night.

Abul Latif’s father Romly Mat, 63, was grateful over his son success and hoped his experience would be able to push him to achieve even greater success in the future.

“I’ve always supported him, his achievement today was unexpected, I’m proud of him,” he said.

Also present were Minister in the Prime Minister Department, Datuk Seri Dr Shahidan Kassim and several Perlis paralympic athletes who were overjoyed by Abdul Latif’s success. — Bernama