In fact, Malaysia was the first Southeast Asian nation to send athletes to the Paralympic Games. Mariappan Perumal won the country’s first Paralympic medal, a bronze, for powerlifting at the Seoul 1988 Games. Meanwhile, Ziyad Zolkefli helped the nation bring back our first gold at the 2016 Rio Games, in shot put – and even set a world record then, which he later beat himself again.
Here’s a list of Paralympic medals Malaysia has won (so far):
Athletics – 10 medals
Malaysia has won the most Paralympic medals in the athletics category.
Eddy Bernard: 2024 Paris (Bronze – Men’s 100m)
Abdul Latif Romly: 2024 Paris, 2020 Tokyo, 2016 Rio (Silver, Gold – Men’s long jump)
Mohamad Ridzuan Mohamad Puzi: 2016 Rio (Gold – Men’s 100m)
Muhammad Ziyad Zolkefli: 2024 Paris, 2016 Rio, 2012 London (Silver, Gold, Bronze – Men’s shot put)
Siti Noor Radiah Ismail: 2016 Rio (Bronze – Women’s long jump)
Mohamad Khasseri Othman: 1992 Barcelona (Bronze – Men’s high jump)
Weightlifting – 7 medals
Weightlifting brings in the second most Paralympic medals won by Malaysia.
Bonnie Bunyau Gustin: 2024 Paris, 2020 Tokyo (Gold – Powerlifting men’s 72kg)
Jong Yee Khie: 2020 Tokyo (Silver – Powerlifting men’s 107kg)
Siow Lee Chan: 2008 Beijing (Bronze – Powerlifting women’s 56kg)
Mariappan Perumal: 1992 Barcelona, 1988 Seoul (Bronze – Men’s 60kg, 57kg)
Cheok Kon Fatt: 1992 Barcelona (Silver – Men’s 52kg)
Badminton – 2 medals
Cheah Liek How: 2024 Paris, 2020 Tokyo (Gold – Men’s singles)
Boccia – 1 medal
Chew Wei Lun: 2020 Tokyo (Silver – Mixed individual)
Archery – 1 medal
Hasihin Sanawi: 2012 London (Silver – Men’s individual)
For more on local athletes, click here.
Featured image: Craig Burgess / Badminton Photo