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Afiq hopes to put Dubai quarantine behind him

PARA-ATHLETE Afiq Ali Hanafiah, 27, is charged up for this month's Commonwealth Games in Birmingham following his bad experience at the World Para Athletics Grand Prix in Dubai in March.

Afiq, 27, tested positive for Covid-19 a day after clocking 11.45s for the men's 100m T12 (partially blind) silver medal.

He described his 10-day quarantine in a hotel room in Dubai as his worst experience at an international competition.

He wants to put that experience behind him as he heads for Birmingham for the Games from July 28 to Aug 8.

"It was a nightmare to have Covid-19 in Dubai.

"I feared for my health. But luckily, it did not affect my immune system and body.

"However, I am afraid of going to Birmingham as cases are increasing in England.

"But I will still go to make my country proud. I hope to do better than my bronze-medal showing in Gold Coast four years ago," said Afiq, who clocked 11.28 in the Gold Coast.

He said he was unhappy with his performance in Dubai as his time was far from his personal best.

"It will be tough in Birmingham as I will be competing against two favourites who have dipped below 11 seconds."

Zac Shaw of Britain clocked 10.89 in Germany on July 1, while South Africa's Ndodomzi Jonathan Ntutu, the defending champion, achieved 10.80.

In the build-up to the Games, Afiq participated in the Johor Open in May.

Competing against able-bodied athletes, he clocked 11.38 in the heats.

Although he did not reach the final, he was satisfied with his time.

"The pressure is on me to be on the podium, and I hope to defy the odds to return with a medal again."

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