KUCHING, Despite having to compete in a new event at the 2024 Para Malaysia Games (Para SUKMA) Sarawak, national para swimmer Abd Halim Mohammad remains determined to be crowned the Best Male Athlete at the biennial games.

The 26-year-old from Sabah said he has been undergoing intensive training over the past three months at the Kg Pandan Paralympic Excellence Centre in Kuala Lumpur, as well as with his Sabah teammates for the past week, to turn this dream into a reality.

‘This time, the events I usually compete in – 100m breaststroke, 50m freestyle, and 200m individual medley aren’t part of the programme, so I’ve had to switch to the 400m freestyle S8/S9 (physical impairment) event.

‘…to be honest, I’ve never competed in this category at any championship before, so it’s a new experience for me. But I’m confident in my own abilities,’ he told Bernama.

Abd Halim said adapting to a new training style is a normal part of an athlete’s journey, where they quickly learn from their coach and apply it in compe
tition.

The sixth of seven siblings, Abd Halim said that along with his fellow teammates, it is his mission to help Sabah claim the overall swimming championship and surpass their second-place finish from the last edition in Kuala Lumpur.

‘Victory here will definitely help Sabah retain the overall champions title in the final medal standings,’ he added.

Abd Halim is no stranger to success in the pool. He was previously the top earner under the Sports Victory Reward Scheme (SHAKAM), receiving a total of RM62,250 after clinching five gold medals and one bronze at the 2023 ASEAN Para Games in Cambodia.

During that event, Abd Halim dominated by securing gold in the 200m individual medley SM8, 50m freestyle S8, 100m breaststroke SB8, 100m freestyle S8, and 50m breaststroke SB, alongside a bronze in the 4x100m medley relay (34 pts).

He also broke two event records in the 50m freestyle and 50m breaststroke.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency