AYPG 2025: Johannes Gabriel Aims To Win Powerlifting Gold, Smash Personal Record

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 6 (Bernama) -- Young national powerlifter Johannes Gabriel Chew has two goals to achieve at the 2025 Asian Youth Para Games in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates that begins this Sunday.

The national contingent flagbearer not only wants to win the under 65-kilogramme powerlifting gold medal but also aims to smash his personal best of 126 kilogrammes recorded when he won the bronze medal at the World Championship in October.

“My condition is ok and I will try my best to win the gold for our country,” he said during the national contingent flagoff at the Kampung Pandan Paralympics Excellence Centre here today, in the presence of Malaysian Paralympic Council president Datuk Seri Megat D Shahriman Zaharudin and National Sports Council director Jefri Ngadirin.

Automotive company Chery prepared 20 vehicles to ferry the athletes from the centre to the Kuala Lumpur International Airport.

Meanwhile, Megat D Shahriman expressed hope that the athletes chosen to represent the country would improve on the performance of 2021 edition, when Malaysia won three gold, four silver and five bronze medals.

Twenty-nine athletes will represent Malaysia in eight events - boccia, para badminton, archery, table tennis, athletics, swimming, powerlifting and taekwondo.

-- BERNAMA