Kelantan Powerlifting Squad Aim for Two Gold At Para SUKMA

KOTA BHARU, Sept 15 (Bernama) -- The Kelantan powerlifting team are targeting two gold medals and one silver at the 2024 Malaysia Para Games (Para SUKMA), which will take place from Sept 22-28 in Kuching, Sarawak.

Kelantan will be represented by four athletes, including former national powerlifter Ma Hussein Mat Noh, 44, who will make his final appearance in the 72kg category at the Para SUKMA, as the age limit is 45.

The experienced athlete, who has previously represented Malaysia at the World Cup, will also serve as the coach after winning gold in four consecutive Para SUKMA editions, in 2012, 2014, 2016, and 2018.

“This is my second time coaching the team after the 2022 edition in KL. We hope to meet the targets set, as we have been training since mid-July at the Kelantan State Youth and Sports Department Sports Complex (Kombes).

“So far, I have received monetary incentives for my victories, and I hope that if I win gold, the ministry (Youth and Sports Ministry) or the Kelantan government can provide me with a house or land, as I am currently renting and supporting my children’s education," he told Bernama.

Ma Hussein’s dream of competing in the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics was cut short after suffering from heart disease, but he successfully underwent heart bypass surgery therafter.

Working as a mechanic in Kampung Beris Tengah, Beris Kubor Besar, Bachok, Ma Hussein won silver at the 2015 ASEAN Para Games in Singapore and the 2017 edition in Kuala Lumpur. He also placed 10th at the 2016 World Cup in Kuala Lumpur.

A single father raising two children, aged 17 and 19, after separating from his wife 16 years ago, Ma Hussein noted that weightlifting for disabled athletes has many differences and advantages.

He shared that his initial dream was to be a badminton player, and he also played football and sepak takraw.

“In the past, disabled sports were not prominent, and there were no successors. I could play all sports, including one-legged football and sepak takraw, but my destiny leaned toward weightlifting.

“My dream was to be a badminton player, but I read a newspaper article stating that ITalent was looking for weightlifting talents. I joined because I believed in fate, even though the sport was new to me."

-- BERNAMA