Azlan clinches third gold despite protest

A five-minute hiccup following a technical protest from Bahrain before the Men's 400m T36 race started did not faze Mohammad Azlan Mat Lazin who won the gold medal in the Icheon Asian Para Games at the Incheon Asiad Main Stadium here today.

Mohammad Azlan qualified to be dubbed the hero of Malaysia after winning this gold medal, his third in the Games.

He clocked 59.84 seconds en route to the gold while compatriot Mohd Raduan Emeari secured the bronze medal in a time of one minute 02.24 seconds.

"My back muscle injury worsened during the run, and my leg was a bit stiff. But the coach told me to always keep moving before the event started.

"God willing, I succeeded in overcoming the pain and won the event. The win is very meaningful to me and my family," he told reporters after the event.

The silver medal was won by Gong Qiang of China who recorded 1:00.50s.

Azlan's first gold was via the Men's 100m T36 event, which he won on Monday and his second in Men's 200m T36 on Tuesday.

The national contingent with 135 athletes is contesting in 15 of 25 events, with the target of improving on the nine gold medals won at the Guangzhou Games in 2010.