KUALA LUMPUR: Their physical and mental limitations proved no hindrance to Malaysia's representatives in the Abilympics tournament in Metz, France, who did their country proud by bagging five medals.
The Abilympics (Olympics of Abilities) competition is an international skill-based tournament created to highlight the ability of people with impairments in vocational activities.
The tournament, held from March 23 to 25, saw Malaysia's Nur Amiratul Farahin Ab. Rahman win a silver medal in the painting and waste reuse category while Wan Muhammad Hafizunif Wan Roslan grabbed a bronze medal in the cake decorating category.
Their compatriot Muhammad Hanif Naufal Mohd Mazni earned a bronze medal and also an excellence award in the restaurant service category while Anis Humairah Riduwan gained an excellence award in the embroidery category.
Malaysia sent 16 athletes who participated in 14 different categories.
Aside from showcasing the potential capabilities of 'Persons with Disabilities' (PWDs), the tournament also aims to encourage an increase in employment opportunities for the community.
In 2002, the Malaysian Council for Rehabilitation (MCR) joined the International Abilympics Federation (IAF), making it the organisation's official representative in Malaysia for the national and worldwide Abilympics competitions.
The tournament featured 420 contestants from 22 countries, including Australia, China, Korea, and Japan.
Other participants from Malaysia were
Mohd Yunus Mohd Ismail (floral arrangement); Chew Lay Peng (advanced dress making); Salahudin Ahmad Kamsan (individual cooking); Muhammad Darwisy Haziq Mohd Zam (outdoor photography); Haymasuthan Periasamy (studio photography); Loh Seng Fong (web page creation); Yow Shann Koon (computer assembly); Khairunnisa Johari (English word processing); Shahrul Nizam Mohd Hanafiah (basic dress making); Najwa Mahmud (data processing); Daviddas Ramadath (studio photography); and Rosemary Yvonne Marcus in painting and waste reuse.
