NAKHON RATCHASIMA: Malaysia’s 50-gold haul in Cambodia three years ago remains fresh in the memory of sports fans, serving as a benchmark for the national contingent competing in the ASEAN Para Games (APG) Thailand 2025, which will officially get underway here today.
The Malaysian contingent is raising the bar by targeting 55 gold medals this time around, signalling a strong determination and aspiration to create history in the increasingly competitive regional games.
Several Paralympic champions will spearhead Malaysia’s challenge, raising hopes that the national contingent will again do the country proud on the international arena.
APG 2025 is also viewed as a precursor of two major events later this year — the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games in July and the Aichi–Nagoya 2026 Asian Para Games in October — which will serve as the true platforms to assess the readiness of national athletes on the road to the Los Angeles 2028 Paralympic Games.
Performances in Nakhon Ratchasima will likewise provide an early gauge of Malaysia’s preparations ahead of hosting APG Malaysia 2027 in October next year, where the effectiveness of the contingent’s training programmes and strategies will be fully tested.
Malaysia’s chef de mission to APG 2025, Mohd Zarrawi Ravi Abdullah, has previously expressed confidence that swimming and athletics will continue to be the country’s gold mines, while badminton and cycling are expected to strengthen the country’s medal chase.
Among the athletes drawing attention is three-time Paralympic medallist Muhammad Ziyad Zolkefli, who will compete in the F20 shot put (intellectual impairment) and F20 javelin.
Paralympic 2016 gold medallist Mohamad Ridzuan Mohamad Puzi will also take to the track with a mission to reach the podium in the 100m, 200m and 400m T38 (physical impairment) events.
The powerlifting arena is expected to steal the spotlight, with Bonnie Bunyau Gustin competing in the 80 kg category and his brother, Bryan Junency Gustin, in the 88 kg category, adding ‘drama’ to the intense rivalry between two stars from the same family.
Paralympic badminton champion in 2020 and 2024, Cheah Liek Hou, will spearhead Malaysia’s challenge in the men’s singles SU5 (physical impairment) and men’s doubles SU5.
Muhammad Yusof Hafizi Shaharuddin is expected to make a strong impact in four cycling events — two track and two road events.
In swimming, Abd Halim Mohammad, who won five gold medals and one bronze at APG 2023, will compete in eight events.
APG 2025 will also serve as a stage for a generational clash between senior and younger athletes, combining experience with youthful energy to ensure the Malaysian contingent is not solely reliant on established stars but continues to churn out new champions across disciplines.
Malaysia’s impressive haul of 50 gold, 38 silver and 35 bronze medals at Cambodia 2023 enabled them to finish fourth overall.
Go, Team Malaysia — this is your moment to fight all out across the 18 sports contested, with a total of 259 medals up for grabs. — BERNAMA
