Para SUKMA: What Started As A Tryout Ends In Gold For Discus Thrower Cheng Tat

By Nurul Izzati Mansor

KUCHING, Sept 27 (Bernama) -- Sarawak's Chong Cheng Tat always believed that "if you never try, you'll never know”.

It's this inquisitive quality of his that led him to clinch gold for Sarawak in the men's discus throw 1-kilogramme (kg) F34 (physical impairment) category in his maiden Malaysia Para Games (Para SUKMA) appearance here in Sarawak today.

Cheng Tat, who only took up the sport to find an alternative income after suffering a stroke which left him partially paralysed, found that he was quite adept at discus throw and decided to represent his home state in the biennial Games.

The former salesman, who sprang a surprise by clinching the gold medal with a throw of 19.02 metres (m), said he never expected to win as he had zero knowledge about sports.

"But then I've always believed in the saying 'never try, never know’. I can't walk, I can’t work because I am partially paralysed. But it's impossible for me not to do anything.

"So, I decided to give sports a try. And, what do you know, it seems I’m quite good at discus throw… so, that's why I decided to compete in the Para SUKMA. And I’ve got a gold medal to show for it, now.

"I need to do something despite my partial paralysis as I still care for my mother. If I win, I get to keep the incentive and fend for myself and my mother,” the 44-year-old told Bernama today.

For the record, Johor's Muhamad Nazir Aliman (15.36m) and Perak's Hazrin Che Hassan (15.21m) took silver and bronze respectively.

Meanwhile, Sabah's quartet of Mohd Nizamuddin Matahir, Heronlee Wong, Nelson Selvin and Jacklon Ganding stormed to victory in the men's 4x100m T35-38 (physical impairment) category in 53.53 seconds (s), leaving Kedah and Perak to settle for silver and bronze.

Interestingly, Mohd Nizamuddin said this is the first time they’ve been teamed up and that they had never really prepared for the race.

"Never trained together at all. The first time we ran together was when we first arrived here a few days ago. After that, we were all busy with our own events… hope they will keep us together for this event,” he said.

-- BERNAMA