Decade-long Sacrifice Earns Mohammad Yusof Top Sports Honour

KUALA LUMPUR, May 19 (Bernama) -- Tears and sweat shed over a decade in para cycling finally paid off after Mohammad Yusof Hafizi Shaharuddin realised his dream of winning the national para sportsman award.

Mohammad Yusof was named National Paralympic Sportsman at the 2025 National Sports Awards (ASN) ceremony here today.

The Kuala Kangsar-born athlete described the award as recognition of the sacrifices and hard work he had put in over 10 challenging years to raise Malaysia’s name on the world stage.

“This award is a testament to my hard work over the past 10 years. I have long dreamed of becoming the National Sportsman because I wanted to dedicate it to my parents,” said the world champion at a press conference after ASN 2025 at the National Sports Council (MSN) in Bukit Jalil.

Mohammad Yusof said his main focus now is on preparations for the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow beginning this July, which will mark his maiden appearance at the sporting event.

Besides the Commonwealth Games, he will also shoulder the nation’s challenge at the Asian Para Games and the Para Track Cycling World Championships in the Netherlands, both scheduled for October.

Asked about the prospect of competing at the 2028 Summer Paralympics, Mohammad Yusof said he would leave the matter to the coaching team’s strategy.

Mohammad Yusof created a sensation after winning the country’s first-ever world gold medal through the MC1 200m sprint event at the 2025 Para Track Cycling World Championships in Rio de Janeiro.

-- BERNAMA