Ziyad has won the global championship again

PETALING JAYA: Following the victory in today’s Para Athletics World Championship in Kobe, Japan, Ziyad Zolkefli brought pride to Malaysia. In the men’s shot putt F20 category, the 34-year-old’s final throw of 17.43 metres was sufficient to win the country’s first gold medal at the world para meet held at Kobe Universiade Memorial Stadium. Ziyad set a new Asian record and achieved a personal best with his winning effort. The para athlete from Selangor threw 17.29 metres at the World Para Athletics meet back in London in 2017. Ziyad has now won three global titles; he also took home the trophy from the 2013 Lyon tournament. At last year’s Paris 2023 edition, the former Paralympic champion had to settle for silver. With 15.92m, Frenchman Soane Luka Meissonnier won silver. Congo Villalba of Ecuador won bronze in 15.80 metres. Thus far, Malaysia has displayed one gold, one silver, and one bronze. Wong Kar Gee won bronze in the men’s T12 long jump, while Eddy Barnard took home silver in the men’s T44 100m.