HANGZHOU: The national contingent did not have to wait long before claiming their first gold medal at the Hangzhou Asian Para Games.
Swimmer Nur Syaiful Zulkafli emerged victorious in the men's 100 metre breastroke SB4 (physical impairment) event today.
Syaful was first to the wall in a new games record time of one minute and 46.78 seconds.
China's Yin Wenhong (1:53.29s) came in second while Lee Zy Kher (2:11.80s) completed a 1-3 finish for Malaysia in the event.
An elated Syaiful, who fell short in the same event during the 2018 Indonesia edition, is hungry for more.
"I did not expect to win gold on the first day because this is a tough event. The new record is a surprise too.
"There is still room for improve
ment but I'm very happy to make amends for my disappointment at the 2018 Games," he told Bernama.
Syaiful has also qualified for the 50m freestyle final which was played late today.
In athletics, Noor Imanina Idris claimed the bronze in the women's shot put F20 (intellectual impairment) after achieving a new personal best throw of 11.08 metres.
Japan's Reina Hori (11.93m) and Indonesia's (11.12m) took gold and silver.
In track cycling, Malaysia claimed bronze in the women's 3,000m individual pursuit B (visual impairment) through Nur Azlia Syafinaz Zais and her pilot Nurul Suhada Zainal.
The duo defeated Thailand's Rarinthip Saelo and Nontakaewworanan (overlapped) in the playoff. China (3:47.981s) claimed the gold after beating Indonesia (3:50.970s) in the final.