Para Sukma best male athlete Shahafiq eyes ASEAN Para Games

KOTA KINABALU (Sept 30): Shahafiq Abdullah will take it one step at a time in his quest to qualify for the Paralympic Games.

The Sandakan lad, who was named the 21st Para Sukma Best Male Athlete, said his next target was to make the national squad and compete at international level meets.

“If I’m given the chance, my aim is to next compete in the ASEAN Para Games.

“As for the Paralympics, I’m not thinking about that yet … for now my focus is ASEAN Para Games (in Thailand next year).

“I will take it by step by step,” he said when met upon arrival with fellow swimmer Abd Halim Mohammad at the Kota Kinabalu International Airport on Monday.

Present to welcome them were Sabah Sports Council director Mohd Asneh Mohd Noor, senior sports officials and Sabah Para Swimming president Jonathan Wong Kar Gee.

In the just concluded Para Sukma, Shahafiq bagged four golds, one silver and one bronze in the S6 classification events.

He also set four new national records in the 100m freestyle (1:17.18s), 50m butterfly (37.56s), 100m backstroke (1:38.61s) and 50m freestyle (33.18s).

“I was so happy … I did not expect (to be named Best Male Para Athlete).

“The competitions were tough with so many challenges that I needed to face.

“Firstly I had many events to focus on and the events were merged with other classificafions.

“So, it was quite tough. My training programme that includes morning and afternoon sessions has prepared me well,” he added.

Having said that, he expressed gratitude to all especially coaches including Eva Wong who have contributed to his success at the Para Sukma.

Shahafiq, 20, was making his second appearance in Para Sukma hosted by Sarawak.

In 2022 in Kuala Lumpur, he bagged one gold and three silvers.

Meanwhile, Asneh hoped Shahafiq would qualify for the Paralympics, where the next edition will take place at Los Angeles in 2028.

“It is our hope that our athletes including Shahafiq will make it to the Paralympics and win medal like Eddy (Bernard) did recently by winning a bronze.

“We are very hopeful that there will be several athletes from Sabah to compete in the Paralympics in 2028,” said Asneh.