KUALA LUMPUR: S. Thavanesvaran and Mohamed Solihim won back-to-back Asean Para Games 100m gold medals yesterday.
Thavanesvaran, who had won the 400m T44 on Tuesday, claimed his favourite 100m T42 gold with a time of 12.06s. The Segamat lad will run in the 200m on Friday — confident of delivering yet another gold.
"After winning the 400m, I received many calls from my family members as well as friends and neighbours. But the most encouraging call was from my father.
"He cried while talking to me, something that he had never done before,” said the 18-year-old. His dad will be at the stadium to watch him run the 200m.
Meanwhile, Mohamed Solihim ran the fastest race of his life in the 100m T45/T46 with a time of 11.58s to win his maiden gold. Solihim was equally emotional, as he upgraded his Singapore 2015 Game silver to gold.
"I was born with a stump for my right hand and it was never easy as my left side started to become more dominant. My interest in athletics saw me brave through many difficult moments and I even put on hold pursuing a degree in Universiti Malaysia to run.
"I took a two-year study leave to train, and when I got to the starting line, I told myself whatever happens I am not going to end up with another silver," said the 27-year-old from Terengganu.
Yesterday, athletics contributed eight more gold medals to bring their three-day total to 22.