Kota Kinabalu: Sabah’s para athlete Jonathan Wong Kar Gee intends to take another shot at the next Paralympic Games in Los Angeles in 2028.
He expressed his intention on Wednesday afternoon upon his return from Paris following his second appearance at the recent Paris Paralympics.
He was welcomed by his mother Datuk Susan Wong, Sabah Sports Council officials and supporters at the Kota Kinabalu International Airport.
The 33-year-old had a heartbreak in this year’s event held last month when he finished in fourth place in the T-12 men’s long jump event.
He was on course for the bronze medal with the distance of 6.85-metre recorded in his first and final attempts until Argentine Fernando Vazquez’s final jump of 6.88m shattered his dream.
According to him, he was surprised for the poor outing as he had no problem to surpass the seven-metre mark during training here in Kota Kinabalu before the Paris trip.
The distance was also way off his personal best of 7.22m set at the 2018 China Open.
“Although I did not achieve my best in the competition, to be overtaken at the very last jump for the bronze was a bit sad and frustrating for me.
“However, this is a game of sport and anything can happen. I have to accept that my luck was just not good on the day and I believe I also did not have enough rest.
“As for taking part in the LA Paralympics four years from now, I will first continue my training with coach Sidek (Sahak) and let’s see how I perform at next year’s world championship in India.
“Hopefully I can do my best there,” he said.
Meanwhile, he also called on the State para athletes to give their best in this year’s Para Sukma scheduled to be held in Sarawak from September 22-28.
“To all the State Para Sukma athletes, don’t give up. Keep fighting for the gold medal and make Sabah the champions again.”
