KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysia Paralympic Council (MPC) believes the national contingent is capable of delivering four gold medals -– a best ever haul –- at the Paris Paralympics from Aug 28 to Sept 8.
MPC president Datuk Seri Megat D. Shahriman Zaharudin said the medals may likely be won in athletics, badminton and powerlifting.
"So far, 20 athletes have officially secured places in Paris and we are expecting the final number to be around 25 to 27 athletes when the qualifying window closes on July 9," said Shahriman today.
"We have yet to set an official target for the games, however, I believe we are capable of winning four gold in Paris.
"Of course we hope that those who won gold at Tokyo 2020 will be able to defend their medals.
"We, however, have a number of up-and-coming athletes who may be able to spring a surprise or two in Paris.
"I don't want to name and place extra pressure on them, but I am confident in their abilities. They have shown a lot of improvement.
"Currently, all of our main medal contenders are in good condition and free of major injuries."
Malaysia won three gold and two silver at the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics.
The gold medals were won by Bonnie Bunyau Gustin (powerlifting 72kg), Cheah Liek Hou (badminton singles SU5) and Latif Romly (athletics long jump T20).
Malaysia would have won four gold if not for Ziyad Zolkefli's (athletics shot put F20) disqualification for turning up three minutes late to the call room prior to his event.
The quartet will once again be expected to shine in Paris.
Latif and Bonnie are outright favourites in their events though the competition will be stiffer for Cheah and Ziyad.
Promising shuttler Amin Burhanuddin (singles SL4), who is competing in a different category than Cheah, is also seen as a potential medallist.
The national contingent won three gold and one bronze at Rio 2016, which was also the first time that Malaysia was able to win gold at the Paralympics.