Eddy sets sights on LA28 gold
Published on: Thursday, September 12, 2024
Amin (sixth left) and Eddy (seventh left) pose with Fairuz (fifth right), Samad (third right) and others upon their arrival on Wednesday.
Kota Kinabalu: Sabah’s Paralympics bronze medallist Eddy Bernard hopes for a change in colour of medal at the next Paralympics in Los Angeles in 2028.
The Beluran lad who created history by becoming the first Sabahan to win a bronze medal at the Paris Games said this upon his arrival with fellow Paralympian Amin Burhanuddin from Kuala Lumpur at the Kota Kinabalu International Airport on Wednesday.
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He finished third in the men’s T-44 100-metre event and he also set a new Asian record with his time of 11.58 seconds in the final held at the Stade de France on September 1.
“My next target is to upgrade my medal to another colour. It is either silver or gold and hopefully it will be gold,” he said.
Eddy who also excels in the long jump and had won a gold medal at the 2018 Asian Para Games said he is now more focused on the sprint event.
“I am more focused on the 100m right now. However, I may still take part in the long jump in the SEA Games or Asian Games. As for the 200m, I may take it up soon as well.”
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Amin on the other hand, who also received a certificate with his fifth place finish in the badminton men’s SL 4 category rued his chances to make the podium after failing to progress beyond the group stage.
The world fifth ranked player who was seeded 3rd/4th in the Paris Games is determined to have a more successful outing in four years’ time.
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Meanwhile, Assistant Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Fairuz Renddan who was at the airport to welcome Eddy and Amin hopes the success of Sabahan para athletes in the Paris Paralympics will motivate other athletes in the State.
“It is historical for Eddy to win Sabah’s first Paralympic medal for the country. I hope they will continue to be successful and their achievement hopefully will motivate other athletes in the State, not only para athletes,” he said.
Also present at the airport to welcome the two athletes were Rural Development Minister cum Labuk Assemblyman Datuk Samad Jambri, Youth and Sports Ministry’s permanent secretary Datuk Mansur Asun, Sabah Sports Council director Asneh Mohd Noor and Eddy’s parents.
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