PARIS: Malaysia's golden quest at the Paris Paralympics kicks off on Thursday, with high hopes pinned on para-athletes competing in athletics, powerlifting and badminton to deliver glory.
All eyes will be on Abdul Latif Romly as the 27-year-old bids to become the country's first triple Paralympic champion.
Latif aims to win his third consecutive gold medal and break his world record of 7.64m in the men's long jump T20 title (intellectual impairment).
However, he will face a formidable challenge from Russia's Lakushev Matvei, competing under the Neutral Paralympic Athletes banner.
The 21-year-old Matvei's season-best mark is 7.40m compared to Latif's 7.37m.
Latif's coach Shahrul Amri Suhaimi hopes his charge will make every jump count in Paris.
"I expect him to do his best during every attempt. He is in good condition and eager to start the competition.
"It will not be easy, but Latif definitely has a chance to retain his gold medal for the third consecutive time," said Shahrul.
Meanwhile, compatriot Ziyad Zolkefli sees Paris as a stage for redemption.
The shot put F20 (intellectual impairment) star, disqualified in Tokyo for arriving late to the waiting room, is determined to reclaim the gold he won in Rio 2016.
Newcomer Nazmi Nasri is one to watch in the long jump T37 (physical impairment) after his golden leap of 6.13m at the 2024 World Para Athletics Championships in Kobe, Japan.
Hopes are also high for other top performers from Kobe: silver medallist Eddy Bernard in the 100m T44 (physical impairment), and bronze medallists Jonathan Wong in the long jump T12 (visual impairment) and Ammar Aiman Nor Azmi in the 400m T20 (intellectual impairment).
Powerlifter Bonnie Bunyau Gustin, who holds the world record at 231kg, is the hot favourite to retain his gold in the men's 72kg category.
Sarawak-born Bonnie has opened up a significant gap between himself and his nearest challenger, Italy's Donato Telesca, whose best lift is just 216kg.
There are, however, questions surrounding the podium prospects of Tokyo 2020 silver medallist Jong Yee Khie in the 107kg category. Currently ranked world No. 5 with a lift of 230kg, the competition will be stiff.
Defending champion Cheah Liek Hou, the world No. 1, also hopes to retain his men's singles SU5 (physical impairment) gold medal.
But he cannot afford to rest on his laurels, with strong competition expected from compatriot Fareez Anuar, Taiwan's world No. 2 Fang Jen-Yu and Indonesia's reigning Para Asian Games champion Dheva Anrimusthi.
The national para-badminton camp is also counting on wheelchair players Ikhwan Ramli (WH1), Noor Azwan Noorlan (WH2), and Amin Burhanuddin to deliver medals.
With former national boccia champion Chew Wei Lun having retired after his BC1 (physical impairment) individual silver in Tokyo, the door is open for Noor Askuzaimey Mat Salim, Abdul Razzaq Abdul Rahman, and Lee Chee Hoong to step up.
Former para-archery world champion S. Suresh is also a medal hopeful despite his surprising early exit in Tokyo.
He will be joined in the recurve event by G. Daneshen and Nur Jannaton Abdul Jalil.
The para-cycling squad is led by Yusof Hafizi Shaharuddin, who clinched bronze in the men's 1-kilometre time trial C1 (physical impairment) event at this year's World Para Track Cycling Championships in Rio.
The Kuala Kangsar-born cyclist will compete in four events, including the C1 3,000-metre pursuit.
He will be joined by fellow cyclists Adi Raimie Amizazahan, Nur Azlia Syafinaz Zais, Nurul Suhada Zainal (pilot), Nur Suraiya Zamri, and Farina Shawati Adnan (pilot).
The Paralympic Council Malaysia is also banking on swimmers Nur Syaiful Zulkafli and Imaan Aiman Redzuan.
Nur Syaiful will compete in four S5 (physical impairment) events, while Imaan Aiman is set for the S14 (intellectual impairment) 100m backstroke.
National wheelchair tennis player Abu Samah Borhan hopes to spring a surprise in his third Paralympic appearance after early exits at Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020. He will compete alongside Yusshazwan Yusuf in the men's singles and doubles events.
In total, Malaysia will be represented by 30 athletes across eight sports in Paris. - Bernama