Muhammad Ziyad Zolkefli Revives Hunt for Gold in International Championships
National para shot put ace Muhammad Ziyad Zolkefli is gearing up to kickstart his hunt for gold at international championships this season. Following the Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebrations, he will aim to excel in several competitions.
Upcoming International Championships
Muhammad Ziyad’s first target is the 2025 World Para Athletics Grand Prix in Morocco this month. He will then proceed to compete in the Grand Prix in Paris in July and the 2025 World Para Athletics Championships in New Delhi, India, in October. The athlete has been preparing for these events since the 2024 Paris Paralympics and has continued training even during the Ramadan fasting month.
Reassessing Potential and Identifying Weaknesses
The championships in Morocco will serve as a platform for Muhammad Ziyad to reassess his potential after a long break since the Paralympic Games last year. He believes that this phase is also crucial in identifying his weaknesses and shortcomings before the World Championships in India.
Concerns and Dietary Restrictions
However, Muhammad Ziyad expressed some concerns as he has not competed on the international stage for some time. He also needs to be cautious with his diet as his first competition will be right after the Aidilfitri celebrations. The athlete has been training diligently, but he is aware that he needs to be mindful of his diet to perform optimally.
Training Schedule During Ramadan
During the Ramadan fasting month, Muhammad Ziyad has been training from morning till noon. After breaking his fast, he would perform the Tarawih prayers before training again from 10 pm until 1 am. This rigorous training schedule has helped him maintain his fitness level despite the fasting period.
Past Achievements and Future Goals
For the record, Muhammad Ziyad failed to reclaim the gold medal in men’s shot put F20 category (intellectual disability) at the 2024 Paris Paralympics, settling for a silver medal with a throw of 17.18 meters at Stade de France. He had previously taken bronze in London in 2012 before stepping up to clinch gold in Rio de Janeiro four years later. In the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics, he returned home empty-handed.
Conclusion
Muhammad Ziyad’s determination to revive his hunt for gold in international championships is a testament to his dedication and perseverance. As he embarks on this new journey, he is aware of the challenges that lie ahead, but he is confident that he can overcome them with hard work and dedication.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What are Muhammad Ziyad’s upcoming targets in the international championships?
A: His first target is the 2025 World Para Athletics Grand Prix in Morocco this month, followed by the Grand Prix in Paris in July and the 2025 World Para Athletics Championships in New Delhi, India, in October.
Q: How has Muhammad Ziyad been preparing for these events?
A: He has been training since the 2024 Paris Paralympics and has continued training even during the Ramadan fasting month.
Q: What are Muhammad Ziyad’s concerns about competing on the international stage?
A: He has not competed on the international stage for some time and needs to be cautious with his diet as his first competition will be right after the Aidilfitri celebrations.
Q: How has Muhammad Ziyad been training during the Ramadan fasting month?
A: He trains from morning till noon and then after breaking his fast, he performs the Tarawih prayers before training again from 10 pm until 1 am.