Para Sukma: Sarawak’s Jap Soon Hung gets second gold, shatters own 2018 discus record

KUCHING (Sept 26): Sarawakian Jap Soon Hung secured his second gold medal at the 21st Para Malaysia Games (Para Sukma) today and set a new record in the men’s discus F54 (wheelchair).

With a throw of 21.07 metres, Jap shattered the old record of 20.86 metres, which he set at the 2018 Para Sukma in Perak.

“I’m thrilled to break this record, which was my own previous record from six years ago. It’s a blessing to finally surpass it and I thank the Lord,” he told reporters at the Sarawak State Stadium here today.

The 39-year-old from Kuching said his first gold medal on Tuesday for men’s shot put F54 with a throw of 8.22 metres also saw him better his own distance of 8.18 metres achieved at the 2022 Para Sukma in Kuala Lumpur.

“This is my fifth gold medal across all my Para Sukma participation and my second gold in this year’s games.

“I’ve been preparing specifically to set a new record,” said Jap, who also won a silver for javelin yesterday.

“My goal was to win gold in all three events, but unfortunately, I missed one,” he said.

Jap noted that he has been training for about a year to compete in Para Sukma Sarawak.

“My secret is simple: hard training yields better results. I make time to practise despite having a personal job,” he added.

He is now aiming to join the national team to represent Malaysia at the 2025 Asean Para Games in Thailand.