Para Sukma: Labuan shuttler Muhd Amin wins gold on debut

KUALA LUMPUR: Labuan's Muhd Amin Burhanuddin won the badminton SL4 category (physical impairment) gold at the Para Malaysia Games (Para Sukma) 2022 here today on his first attempt.

The 30-year-old athlete thrashed Johor's Mohd Yusman Md Zahar 21-10, 21-5 in 23 minutes in the final at Stadium Juara in Bukit Kiara.

Muhd Amin said he had not expected to win the title but was grateful that his preparations had paid off.

"Of course I was nervous but I tried to stay positive throughout the match. I tried to maintain the pace despite feeling some pain in my right leg towards the end of the second game.

"Since birth I have been suffering from a right-leg impairment called 'right ciev with surgical intervention/ SL4', so I need to do constant exercises to strengthen my right leg to keep playing badminton," he told reporters.

He dedicated the victory to his family and coaches who have been helping him in his three-year badminton career.

Muhd Amin, ranked 53rd in the world, said he would be participating in more local and international competitions in a bid to qualify for the Paralympic Games 2024 in Paris.

"There are no more tournaments this year and I will start competing again next year to collect qualification points for Paris. But I need to stay free from injury, especially on the right leg," he added.

-- BERNAMA