DESPITE facing physical challenges, three Para Sukma athletes from Penang have shown that with determination and hard work, nothing is beyond reach.
At the recently concluded 2024 Para Sukma (Para Malaysia Games) in Sarawak, Mohd Zulkiffli Mazeri, 29, Muhammad Nur Faris Ghazali, 19, and Muhammad Hamzah Abdul Halim, 28, made their state proud by winning gold medals and other accolades in their respective sports.
For Mohd Zulkiffli, he is a champion in the pool.
Mohd Zulkiffli, a seasoned Para athlete in swimming, has been competing since the 2018 edition of Para Sukma in Perak.
He continued his winning streak in the 2022 edition in Kuala Lumpur and the 2024 edition in Sarawak, securing gold medals in each event.
In the 2024 Para Sukma, Mohd Zulkiffli won a total of five medals in various swimming events.
He won gold in the men’s 100m breaststroke with a record time of 2 minutes 12 seconds, silver in the individual medley with a time of 7 minutes 26 seconds, bronze in the men’s 100m freestyle, clocking 1 minute 36 seconds, bronze in the men’s 50m freestyle with a time of 41 seconds and bronze in the men’s 4x100m medley relay with a time of 6 minutes 16 seconds.
Looking ahead to the future, Mohd Zulkiffli has set his sights on winning two gold medals at the 2026 Para Sukma in Selangor. He also hopes to qualify for the next edition of the Asian Para Games, furthering his achievements on the international stage.
As for Muhammad Nur Faris, he is a young star on the rise.
At just 19, Muhammad Nur Faris has already made a significant impact in the world of Para swimming.
He began competing in Para Sukma in 2018, and like Zulkiffli, he has consistently won gold medals in every edition since.
Muhammad Nur Faris’s love for swimming began in Standard 3, when a teacher introduced him to the sport. This early exposure sparked a passion that has driven him ever since.
During the 2024 Para Sukma in Sarawak, Muhammad Nur Faris excelled in three events.
He won silver in the men’s 100m freestyle with a time of 2 minutes 8 seconds, bronze in the men’s 50m freestyle, finishing in 59.50 seconds and gold in the men’s 200m freestyle, with a record time of 2 minutes 35 seconds.
Muhammad Nur Faris has ambitious goals for the future, aiming to win four gold medals at the next Para Sukma in Selangor and to qualify for the next Asian Para Games.
For Muhammad Hamzah, he is aiming high in archery.
The 28-year-old Para archer, achieved a major milestone at the 2024 Para Sukma by winning gold in the mixed team archery event alongside his partner, Muhamed Saifullrizal Mohd Bakri.
The pair scored 147 points, earning them the gold medal in their first-ever Para Sukma competition.
Hamzah expressed immense satisfaction with this achievement, noting that their hard work and rigorous training paid off.
Looking ahead, he is determined to defend the gold medal at the next Para Sukma in Selangor and hopes to qualify for the individual archery event.
The success of these athletes at the 2024 Para Sukma is a testament to their perseverance, discipline, and love for their respective sports. As they set their sights on future competitions, their inspiring stories serve as a reminder that with passion and effort, even the greatest challenges can be overcome.
Story by Riadz Akmal
Pix by Adleena Rahayu Ahmad Radzi