KUALA LUMPUR: Shot putter Ziyad Zolkefli has set his sights on redemption at next year's World Para Athletics Championships in Tashkent after surrendering his Asian Para Games crown at the Nagoya City Mizuho Park Athletic Stadium on Friday.
The 36-year-old had to settle for silver in the F20 category with a best throw of 16.61 metres, ending his run of three consecutive gold medals at the Games.
Saudi Arabia's Ali Bader dethroned Ziyad with a Games record of 17.08m, eclipsing the Malaysian's mark of 16.94m set at the 2018 Jakarta edition.
Fellow Malaysian Aliff Awi took bronze with 14.45m.
Ziyad, who won the title in Incheon in 2014, Jakarta in 2018 and Hangzhou in 2022, admitted the defeat was difficult to accept but insisted he had given his best.
"I am disappointed because we wanted to win the title at the Asian Para Games. I have tried my best, but I had to settle for silver," he said.
Ziyad is now determined to use the disappointment as motivation to bounce back at the World Championships in Tashkent.
"I will come back as a new Ziyad in 2027. We have worked hard and completed our training, but rezeki was not on my side this time," he said.
He made it clear that losing his crown would not end his international career, vowing to prove he could still compete at the highest level.
Ziyad also thanked his family, friends and Malaysians for their support and prayers, although he was unable to repay them with gold this time.
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