by BERNAMA

KUALA LUMPUR – National para athlete Muhammad Ziyad Zolkefli (picture) has vowed to spring a surprise at the Aug 24-Sept 5 Tokyo Paralympics.

The former world champion, who won gold in shot put in the F20 (intellectual impairment) category at the 2016 Rio Paralympics, is confident that having grasped his coach Mohamad Faizol Harun’s advice, he is fully prepared to compete in the world’s biggest multi-sports Games.

The 31-year-old Ziyad said his performance level was at its peak and that he’s also free from injuries.

“Now, I am ready to achieve my target and break my own record… that’s what I intend to try and do. I’ve been training very hard, so let’s wait and see… I will spring a surprise,” he said recently.

Meanwhile, Ziyad hopes to take part in at least two or three competitions as warm-up for the Tokyo Paralympics after going for so long without any tournaments due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“A minimum of two or three competitions would be good to regain my self-confidence and competitive edge,” he said.

Ziyad, who recently completed his second dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine jab, said he was more confident of competing overseas now.