Muhammad Ziyad Turns Into A ‘Night Owl’, Feels Fresher During Ramadan

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 19 (Bernama) -- For national para athlete Muhammad Ziyad Zolkefli, the month of Ramadan is not merely a time for worship, but also a period to maintain a high level of athletic discipline.

Unwilling to allow his training intensity to ease during the holy month, the men’s shot put F20 (intellectual disability) gold medallist at the 2016 Rio Paralympic Games is prepared to become a ‘night owl’, training on the field until the early hours of the morning.

Muhammad Ziyad also admitted that he feels fresher and more energised when training during Ramadan.

“My training schedule, which is usually during the day, has now changed. I allocate about two hours for weightlifting training at the gym, from 4 pm to 6 pm, before continuing with throwing practice at night after tarawih prayers, from 9.30 pm until 2 am.

“I feel fresher as I get sufficient rest during the day, and I am even more motivated to train during Ramadan,” he told Bernama.

Fresh from winning gold at the 2025 ASEAN Para Games in Korat, Thailand, last month, Muhammad Ziyad is now sharpening his edge for the 2026 World Para Athletics Grand Prix in Rabat, Morocco.

He said that he is carrying forward the momentum from Korat, with the aim of clinching gold at the championships, to be held at the Olympic Stadium in Rabat from April 23 to 26.

He added that success in Morocco would serve as an additional boost, before he competes at the 2026 Asian Para Games, scheduled to take place from Oct 18 to 24.

Muhammad Ziyad is a three-time consecutive gold medallist in the men’s shot put F20 event at the Asian Para Games, and also holds the Asian record of 17.43 metres, set in Japan in 2024.

-- BERNAMA