Abd Halim Cracks Two National Records, Boost For 2026 Asian Games

SHAH ALAM, Sept 9 (Bernama) -- Sabah para swimmer Abd Halim Mohammad described his success in breaking two national records at the Selangor 2026 Malaysian Para Games (SUKMA) as a valuable tonic to perform better at the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Para Games in Japan, next month.

The 28-year-old swimmer's brilliant performance at the Selangor Aquatics, here, today, began with winning gold and breaking the national record in the men's 100-metre (m) freestyle S9 (physical disability) when he recorded a new time of 1 minute 04.11 seconds (s), surpassing the old record of 1:06.77s held by Muhammad Safwan from Selangor set at the 2025 ASEAN Para Games in Thailand.

The silver medal was won by Firdaus Fariduddin Noordin from Penang with a time of 1:13.75s while Sarawakian swimmer Ng Jia Tak completed the podium with a bronze medal after recording a time of 1:18.16s.

He then returned to the pool to claim his second gold and renew the national record in the men's 50-metre (m) freestyle S9 category (physical disability) when he clocked 28.01s, thus erasing Muhammad Safwan's old record of 29.47s set at the 2024 Para SUKMA in Sarawak.

The athlete from Tuaran denied the challenge of Muhammad Amirul Akmal Mohd Hafiz from Kedah who took silver (32.04s) and bronze went to Firdaus Fariduddin (32.40s).

Abd Halim's success saw him collect three gold medals at the Games so far after topping the men's 100m breaststroke SB8 (physical disability) event with a time of 1:15.79s, on Monday.

Abdul Halim said his achievement in his fourth Para SUKMA appearance since the 2018 edition in Perak has fueled his desire to at least advance to the finals of the 100m freestyle S9 (physical disability) and 100m breaststroke S9 (physical disability) events in Japan.

"I am not targeting the podium (in the 2026 Asian Para Games). My main goal is to be able to make it to the finals because I see the opportunity there," he told reporters here, today.

The sixth of seven siblings also hopes that his achievement at this year's games will be able to motivate the new generation of para swimmers, especially from Sabah, to shine in any tournament they participate in after this.

Abd Halim, who has suffered from cerebral palsy since birth, which has weakened his left limb, previously created a sensation by emerging as the country's best male athlete at the 2025 ASEAN Para Games by bringing home five gold, one silver and one bronze, in addition to holding four games records.

The Selangor 2026 Para SUKMA Games, which began last Saturday, will conclude tomorrow.

-- BERNAMA