What is one thing that Malaysians love more than food? Why it is sports of course!
Whenever there is a big sporting event such as the Olympics and the Paralympics, Malaysians unite to share the joy and disappointment experienced by our athletes as they represent Malaysia to compete and make our Tanah Air proud.
Here are 10 facts that you may not know about Malaysia at the Paralympics.
1. Malaysia’s first debut
Malaysia made its first Paralympic Games debut at the 1972 Summer Paralympics in Heidelberg with only three athletes
2. First Southeast Asian nation
Malaysia is the first Southeast Asian nation to send its athletes to the Summer Paralympics.
3. Malaysia was absent for 3 editions
Malaysia was absent for three consecutive editions of the Summer Paralympics, before making its return at the 1988 Games in Seoul.
4. Malaysia never entered the Winter Paralympics
Malaysia has participated in every subsequent edition of the Summer Paralympics but has never entered the Winter Paralympics.
5. Malaysia’s first medal
In 1988, Malaysia’s first Paralympic medal was won by weightlifter Mariappan Perumal in Seoul. Mariappan won the bronze medal in the men’s 57 kg division.
6. Malaysia’s first Paralympic medalist has won over 80 medals
Mariappan Perumal, Malaysia’s first Paralympic medalist, has won over eighty medals throughout the course of his career. He is a winner of three bronze medals and is a seven-time Paralympian in Malaysian history.
7. Malaysia’s first female Paralympic medallist
In 2008, powerlifter Siow Lee Chan became Malaysia’s first female Paralympic medallist and the first Malaysian in 16 years to have won a Paralympic medal.
8. Malaysia’s first gold medal
In 2016, Malaysia won its first-ever gold medal in athletics. Abdul Latif Romly, Mohamad Ridzuan Mohamad Puzi and Muhammad Ziyad Zolkefli each won one gold in their respective athletics events.
9. Malaysia’s Josiah Ng hosted his own Airbnb ‘Online Experience’
With the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020 postponed until 2021, Malaysia’s three-time Malaysian Olympic cyclist Josiah Ng hosted his own Online Experience, ‘The Secrets to Winning From an Olympian’.
10. Malaysia bagged 11 medals prior to the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games
Prior to the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, Malaysians have won three gold, two silver and six bronze medals making a total of 11 medals at the Paralympic Games.
Let us show our support and respect to these remarkable Malaysian athletes. We are proud of you. Thank you for your invaluable contribution to Malaysia.
