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KUALA LUMPUR: Abdul Latif Romly added another chapter to his Asian Para Games dominance on Tuesday, but the long jump star was left frustrated after illness and a last-minute shoe change derailed his bid to break the world record.
The two-time Paralympic champion secured his fourth consecutive men's long jump T20 gold medal with a best effort of 7.39 metres at Mizuho Park Athletic Stadium in Nagoya.
However, Latif had set his sights on surpassing his world record of 7.67m, set in New Delhi last year, and admitted he was not satisfied with his winning distance.
"I am grateful to be able to defend my gold medal for the fourth edition in a row," said Latif, who first won the title at Incheon 2014.
"I am, however, not very satisfied with my effort. My target was to break the record here.
"Unfortunately, I have not been feeling too well. I have been coughing since before we got here, and I have the flu now.
"I also had to change my shoes at the last minute, which slightly disrupted my rhythm."
Despite falling short of his personal target, the 29-year-old Perlis-born athlete dedicated the victory to his wife, Nurul Nabila Farhana Musaidi, and his family.
He also thanked the National Sports Council (NSC), Youth and Sports Ministry, National Sports Institute (NSI), and Paralympic Council of Malaysia (PCM) for their support.
"This gold is for my wife and family as well as NSC, NSI, the ministry and PCM who have given a lot of support to all Malaysian para athletes," he said.
Latif's triumph brought Malaysia their third gold medal on Tuesday, following victories by powerlifter Bonnie Bunyau Gustin and track cyclist Zuhairie Ahmad Tarmizi.
Guided by long-time coach Shahrul Amri Suhaimi, a former national long jumper, Latif belongs to an elite group of Paralympic champions developed by the NSC alongside shot putter Ziyad Zolkelfli and sprinter Ridzuan Puzi.
Latif remains the only para athlete to be named National Sportsman of the Year, winning the award in 2016.
At 29, he remains a contender at the highest level, although his immediate focus will be on regaining the form needed to challenge his world record.
Latif's dominance at the Paralympics was interrupted at Paris 2024, where he settled for silver behind Russian Matvei Lakushev, competing under a neutral flag, ending his run of gold medals dating back to Rio 2016.
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