APG 2025: Ziyad Gives Javelin A Try As He Gears Up For Real Test In Shot Put

NAKHON RATCHASIMA, Jan 22 (Bernama) -- Muhammad Ziyad Zolkefli took a relaxed approach in the men's F20 javelin event today, describing it as a prelude to his pet event - the F20 shot put - at the ASEAN Para Games (APG) Thailand 2025 tomorrow.

Although javelin is not his speciality, the 2016 Paralympic shot put gold medallist took to the field bent on contributing a medal to the national contingent, only to realise later that it isn't a medal event.

"I did try my hardest as I wanted to contribute a medal to the country. It was only when I was competing that I realised that it isn’t a medal event. So, I treated it as a warm-up event… and enjoyed the moment as there was no pressure,” he told reporters here today.

In the javelin event, the 35-year-old Ziyad came in second with a throw of 40.85 metres (m), with teammates Eljoe Gotuoh (43.14m) finishing first and Mohamad Aliff Mohamad Awi (21.60m) third.

Despite no medals being awarded, he said the javelin event proved useful, as it allowed him to get used to the field conditions and the competition environment, thereby providing the mental and physical preparation needed for tomorrow's shot put event.

"This (javelin event) is just a warm-up. No pressure, no pain… everything is fine. I got to test the field conditions and wind direction, and be more prepared for tomorrow.

"Moreover, I couldn't withdraw from the javelin event, or else I would have been disqualified for the next event,” said Ziyad, who reiterated that his target in the shot put is to go for gold.

-- BERNAMA