PARIS: Malaysia clinched their first medal at the Paris Paralympics as sprinter Eddy Bernard claimed bronze in the men's 100m T44 (physical impairment) final at the Stade de France on Sunday.
The Sabah sprinter, running in Lane 3, got off to a good start but lost a bit of momentum mid-race before crossing the finish line in 11.58s, setting a new Asian record.
The previous mark of 11.75 was held by Sri Lanka's Indika Gamage set at the World Para Athletics Championships in Japan in May.
"It feels good to deliver the country's first Paralympic medal and break the Asian record in Paris," said Eddy, a silver medallist at the World Championships in Kobe.
"I had a good start during the final and did really well to cross the finish line with a bronze."
South African Mpumello Mhlongo won the gold medal in 11.12s while Cuba's Yamel Luis Vives Suares (11.20s) took silver.