KUALA LUMPUR — The career of former world champion para sprinter Mohammad Ridzuan Puzi is at a crossroads as he contemplates whether to continue competing with the national team or take on a new role.
The 36-year-old missed qualification for the Paris Paralympics, fueling speculation about his future with the national squad in the lead-up to the 2028 Los Angeles Games.
There is a possibility Ridzuan might retire, with the Malaysian Paralympic Council (PCM) exploring the option of assigning him a new role that leverages his experience, possibly scouting new talent.
However, according to NSC Paralympic division director Sofian Hamzah, Ridzuan’s future will be discussed during a meeting with the NSC’s working committee at the end of November.
“If you ask Ridzuan, he definitely still wants to run and is passionate about representing the country. He is still part of the Podium Programme, but we will first review the presentation from his coach, Hamberi Mahat, during the working committee meeting, and then make our assessment.
“Based on his ranking, he is still number two in Asia and capable of competing.
“Whether he will continue representing the country, such as at the 2026 Nagoya Asian Para Games, is not something I can answer now. Everything will be decided in the working committee meeting,” said Sofian.
According to the World Para Athletics Rankings, Ridzuan’s time of 12.23 sec in the 100m T36 (Cerebral Palsy) in Paris this July places him sixth in the world.
This also makes Ridzuan the second-fastest 100m T36 sprinter in Asia, trailing China’s Deng Peicheng, who clocked 11.95 sec.
Ridzuan has been a central figure in the national para-athletics team for several years, winning gold at the Rio 2016 Paralympics.
However, at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics, Ridzuan was disappointed with a fourth-place finish, missing out on defending his gold medal. — September 16, 2024