Paralympics 2024: Perform For Medals First Before Record-Breaking Strategy - CDM

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 14 (Bernama) -- The national powerlifting squad is reminded to ensure that the medals are within their grasp before going for record-breaking strategy at the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris, scheduled from August 28 to September 8.

The chef de mission of the Malaysian Contingent to the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, Datuk R Subramaniam said that among the strategies included an attempt to break the games or world record at the competition held at the Porte de La Chapelle Arena from September 4-8.

Subramaniam insisted that such a step must be taken to prevent any untoward incident from happening and seeing the medal disappear from their grasp.

"The coach knows how much weight needs to be lifted, but the most important thing is to secure a medal first, then only (try to) break the record, that will be a bonus.

"We don't want to make a mistake like taking the wrong weight and miss the medal, we need to learn from what had happened. Before, there were (athletes) who lost by the difference of only 1 kilogramme (kg), so you have to make sure by planning it properly," he told reporters after inspecting the final preparations of the national powerlifting camp here today.

At the same time, Subramaniam confirmed that a total of 30 athletes from eight types of sports will bring the country's challenge in Paris 2024 which is the country's largest contingent in the history of participating in the Paralympic Games so far.

Meanwhile, national powerlifting squad coach, Jamil Adam, said his team is aiming for defending champion of the men's 72kg category (men's up to 72kg), Bonnie Bunyau Gustin to break two of his own records, namely the world record at 231 kg ​​and the Games record at 228 kg.

He said, Italian representative Donato Telesca, who has a personal best weight of 216 kg, will be Bonnie's closest challenger even though the national athlete is far ahead of his opponent.

Jamil also expects more intense competition for Jong Yee Khie to be in the podium position despite successfully bringing home a silver medal in the men's up to 107kg category at the 2020 Paralympic Games.

He said, there were four other challengers who succeeded in surpassing Yee Khie's best record of 230kg, thus seeing the athlete from Sarawak ranked fifth best in the world at the moment.

"We hope Yee Khie would be in the top five in Paris 2024, this is because there were significant improvement among other athletes, just imagine now there are four athletes who can make the 230kg class and above, so it's very tough," he said.

In the meantime, he set a target for Nicodemus Manggoi Moses to be in the top five given that Paris 2024 is his debut appearance on the Paralympic stage.

-- BERNAMA