LANGKAWI: An autistic teenager was among the 427 participants of the Langkawi Swimming Festival in Tanjung Rhu today.
Raziq Rizal, 17, a student of SMK Wira Jaya in Ipoh, Perak, took part in the 2km men's open category.
Although he did not secure a podium finish, his completion of the challenge in one hour and 30 minutes earned praise from the crowed of some 300 people.
Raziq, who is also a trainee at the Tuanku Zara Aquatic Centre in Ipoh, was accompanied by his coach, Faris Mukhis Azmi, who guided him to stay on the swimming route.
"I am grateful that I completed the challenge alongside hundreds of experienced local and foreign participants.
"I have been training five days a week under my coach for the past two years.
"I am here to prove that an autistic swimmer is also capable of taking part in challenging activities," said Raziq.
There to support him were his parents, Rizal Mohamad Suhaimi and Siti Norbaya Sharif.
Raziq said he also took part in a 1km swimming challenge in Port Dickson last year, clocking one hour in the event.
The Langkawi Swimming Festival was organised by Tough Gorilla in cooperation with the Langkawi Development Authority. It attracted 427 participants from 15 countries and featured five main categories.
Spanish swimmer Jose Luis Larrosa Chorro bagged the prize for the men's open, while Malaysian Kai Ning Teoh won the women's open category.
The event was launched by Langkawi Development Authority deputy chief executive officer Wan Kamarul Faisal Wan Kamardin.
