APG 2025: Mohamad Yusshazwan Garners 181st Medal For Malaysia

NAKHON RATCHASIMA, Jan 25 (Bernama) -- A tense atmosphere for almost three hours turned to joy when Mohamad Yusshazwan Yusuf ensured the Malaysian contingent achieved its overall medal target at the 2025 ASEAN Para Games (APG) Thailand by presenting the country with its 181st medal here, today.

In the men's singles final of wheelchair tennis, Yusshazwan defeated Thailand's Kittiphong Wongcharoen 2-0 (6-2, 7-6(5)) to take home the gold.

Mohamad Yusshazwan's emotions peaked as soon as the victory was recorded when tears flowed uncontrollably as he was able to fulfill his promise to bring home the gold for his beloved wife, Aisyah Basharuddin, 28, and family members.

"I really hope to spring a surprise in this singles event. I really dream about it. I have also promised my wife to bring back a medal, especially a gold one, for her, as well as for my mother and father.

"My wife said, 'you fight against yourself, not against your opponent'. I will stick to those words until the day of this match," said Mohamad Yusshazwan, who brought home the silver medal in the Solo 2022 edition.

He admitted that the match was marked by tension and he almost collapsed towards the end of the game.

"In tennis terms, I choked during match point because I was probably nervous about finishing the game. But Alhamdulillah, when it came to a tiebreak, I managed to control my tactics and emotions. Finally, I managed to finish the game in the tiebreak," he said.

-- BERNAMA