Fraidden wins three but strives to win three more

KUCHING (Sept 23): Fraidden Dawan emerged as Sarawak’s standout performer on the first day of the swimming competition at the Para Sukma today. No other athlete in any sport has yet to surpass his incredible haul of three gold medals. It was also clear to him where he found his strength and resolve to strive for success.

“My wife is my inspiration and I could not have done this without her. With the support from my family I was able to target to win gold in the events I partake in before the games,” he said at the Pandelela Rinong Aquatics Centre today.

Despite three gold medals around his neck, Fraidden stressed that he’s not done yet as he still has two individual events and one team event in the days ahead.

“I am going to target winning gold medals for all the remaining events,” he said to signal his confidence.

His three gold medals so far came in the 100m backstroke (S10), 100m breaststroke (SB9) and 4x100m freestyle relay (34 Points) with Mully Andriano, Rusdianto Rusmadi and Galang Jabai.

Fraidden also wold gold medal in individual events such as in the 100m Backstroke Men’s S10 category, displaying his mastery in the pool with an outstanding performance.

The 38-year-old is competing in the S10 category. The Para Sukma use a classification system based on  physical, visual or intellectual impairments to ensure fair competition among athletes with different types of disabilities. The classification may vary between different sports.

For physical impairments, athletes are classified under S1-S10 (swimming) or T/F31-T/F57 (track and field) with lower numbers indicating more severe disabilities.

Visual impairments are classified as B1-B3, with B1 for totally blind athletes while intellectual impairments are classified as T/F20 while athletes with cerebral palsy or neurological impairments are classified under T/F31-T/F38.