Ziyad wins gold at IPC World Athletics Championships in France

London Paralympics bronze medallist Muhammad Ziyad Zolkefli stamped his class on the world stage by winning the men's F20 (intellectual disability) gold medal in shot put at the IPC Athletics World Championships in Lyon, France,Monday.

Taking part in his first World Championships, Ziyad throw the iron ball to a distance of 15.32m to beat Jeffery Ige from Sweden (15.28m) and more significantly, Todd Hodgetts from Australia, winner of the gold medal in the London Paralympics.

Hodgetts finished third with a throw of 15.17m.

Muhammad Ziyad, in his Facebook posting said he was pleasantly satisfied with the result and achievement, especially beating the London Paralympics gold medallist.

"When Negaraku was played in France, I felt very proud...the 15.32m distance was also my best throw ever..," he said.

The distance thrown by the 23-year-old from Gombak, Selangor was also a new National record, since the old distance of 15.21m was set by Ziyad in London, last year.

In London, Muhammad Ziyad gave the Malaysian Paralympic contingent its second medal while Hasihin Sanawi contributed a silver medal through archery.