KUALA LUMPUR: Siti Noor Radiah Ismail is overjoyed to have made up for the disappointment of missing out on gold at the Asean Para Games in Singapore last year by taking a well-earned bronze at the Rio Paralympics yesterday.
A jubilant Noor Radiah said she had her doubts after her sub-par showing in Singapore, but was glad she kept her head down and continued to work on improving herself.
Her third place finish in the women's long jump T20 (intellectual disability) final made her the first ever Malaysian woman to win a medal in athletics at the Paralympics.
"I did not know if I would be able to compete here (in Rio) after that (Singapore)," said the 23-year-old.
"But I gave it everything I had here and managed to replace what I missed out on at the Asean Para Games.
"I am really happy, I just can’t explain it with words.
"I am grateful to have achieved a new personal best and I will keep trying to achieve more.
"I have to thank my coach (Mohd Syahrul Amri Suhaimi), my family and all Malaysians who have prayed for my success.
"I want to dedicate this bronze to all those who have supported me."
In Singapore, the Johorean had finished second to Indonesian Rica Oktavia after only managing a best effort of 4.98m.
Expectations were high going into the Asean Para Games as Radiah had won the gold at the Asian Para Games in Incheon the year before with a new Asian record of 5.10m.
She broke that record with her 5.20m leap en route to the bronze in Rio yesterday.
National para athletics coach Syahrul said he could not have asked for more.
"I am very grateful that Radiah was able to win another medal for Malaysia today (yesterday)," said Syahrul.
"I am satisfied with her performance in the event, especially with her being able to notch another personal best.
"Overall, I am very happy with the success that both my athletes have achieved at Rio 2016."
Abdul Latif Romly, who is also coached by Syahrul, broke his own world record three times en route to winning the men's long jump T20 on Sunday.