Latif Romly Wary Of Russian Challenge At Paris 2024 Paralympics

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 19 (Bernama) -- National para long jump ace, Datuk Abdul Latif Romly, faces a formidable challenge from Russia in his quest for a third consecutive gold medal at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, scheduled from Aug 28 to Sept 8.

The two-time Paralympic gold medalist highlighted Russian athlete Iakushev Matvei as his primary competitor, with Matvei currently leading the World Para Athletics rankings, while Latif holds second place. This rivalry positions Matvei as a significant obstacle in Latif's bid to retain his title in Paris.

Latif, who hails from Perlis, said that his personal best this season stood at 7.37 metres (m), while the 21-year-old Matvei had surpassed him with a personal best of 7.40m.

"If we look at the world rankings, even before the World Championships in Kobe, Japan, Matvei was already ranked first. He didn't compete in Kobe, but this year, he has emerged as the world’s number-one athlete.

"This is a healthy challenge, motivating me to focus more on training to achieve my goal of defending my medal in Paris," he told Bernama during a visit by Malaysia's Chef de Mission (CDM) for the 2024 Paralympic Games, Datuk R. Subramaniam, to the para athletics squad at the Mini Stadium in Bukit Jalil today.

Latif said he had never competed against Matvei in any international championships before this.

Commenting on his preparations for the prestigious event, Latif said he was in top form, free from injuries, and mentally and physically ready to compete in Paris.

"My preparation is now 100 per cent complete. My body is ready after battling a cartilage injury for a month, and everything was going smoothly," he said.

The 27-year-old athlete also aims to break the world record of 7.64m, which he set at the 2018 Asian Para Games in Jakarta.

Latif Romly won the gold in the men's long jump T20 event (intellectual disability) at both the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and the 2020 Tokyo Paralympic Games.

Profile:

• Name: Abdul Latif Romly
• Origin: Perlis
• Age: 27 years old
• Height: 177 centimetres
• Olympic Appearances: Third time
• Hobby: Fishing
• Family: Youngest of seven siblings
• Favourite Food: Mackerel

Achievements:

• Gold medal at the Paralympic Games in 2016 (Rio de Janeiro), and 2020 (Tokyo).
• Gold medal at the World Championships in 2015 (Doha), 2017 (London), 2023 (Paris), 2024 (Kobe).
• Gold medal at the Asian Para Games in 2014 (Incheon), 2018 (Jakarta), 2023 (Hangzhou).
• Gold medal at the ASEAN Para Games in 2014 (Naypyidaw), 2015 (Singapore), 2017 (Kuala Lumpur), 2022 (Surakarta).

-- BERNAMA