Asian Para Games 2026: Zuhairie, Bonnie and Latif deliver three golds for Malaysia

Malaysia's para athletes have made a strong start at the 2026 Asian Para Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, collecting three gold medals across the first two days of competition. Track cyclist Zuhairie Ahmad Tarmizi opened the account on Monday, before powerlifter Bonnie Bunyau Gustin and long jumper Abdul Latif Romly both defended their titles on Tuesday, 20 October.

Zuhairie breaks the Games record

Zuhairie gave the contingent its first gold on 19 October at the Izu Velodrome in Shizuoka, winning the men's 1,000m time trial in the C4-C5 category. He clocked 1:05.361 in the final, ahead of Thailand's Jaturong Niwanti (1:07.206) and Indonesia's Sufyan Saori (1:08.166).

He had already signalled his form in qualifying, posting 1:04.882 to erase the Games record of 1:07.311 set by China's Lai Shanzhang at Hangzhou 2022. On the same day, Mohamad Yusof Hafizi Shaharuddin took bronze in the men's C1-C2 3,000m individual pursuit in 3:52.930.

Bonnie and Latif retain their crowns

Bonnie, the world record holder in the men's up to 72kg class, retained his title at the Nagoya City Trade and Industry Center. He opened with 216kg and secured gold with 225kg on his second attempt, before missing at 231kg. China's Zhang Pingkang (212kg) and Iran's Mohsen Bakhtiar (208kg) completed the podium. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim publicly congratulated the Sarawakian lifter afterwards.

Later that day, Abdul Latif Romly leapt 7.39m to win the men's T20 long jump, his fourth straight Asian Para Games title. Saudi Arabia's Hassan Dawshi finished 0.36m behind in second, with Japan's Kanta Kokubo third. Fellow Malaysians Eljoe Gotuoh (6.91m) and Nik Mohamad Rahmat Mohd Zahari (6.42m) placed fourth and seventh. Latif told the International Paralympic Committee he was grateful to have defended his title "at my fourth consecutive Games".

A narrow miss for Ammar Aiman

Defending champion Muhammad Ammar Aiman Nor Azmi came agonisingly close to a further gold in the men's T20 400m final on 20 October. He ran 48.34 seconds but was edged by Saudi Arabia's Idris Sufyani, who set a Games record of 48.25. Indonesia's Alfin Nomleni took bronze in 49.18.

Liek Hou chasing more on the badminton court

In para badminton, world champion Cheah Liek Hou reached the men's singles SU5 semi-finals on Wednesday by beating compatriot Mohamad Faris Ahmad Azri. The pair are also teammates in the men's doubles SU5, where the New Straits Times reported they were one win away from gold. Further results are expected before the Games close on 24 October.

The bigger picture

The Games feature 508 events across 18 sports, with China dominant at the top of the medal table. For Malaysia, the early golds from established stars such as Bonnie and Latif, combined with Zuhairie's record-breaking ride, suggest the contingent is on course for a productive week.

Key takeaways

• Malaysia had three golds after the first two competition days (19-20 October).
• Zuhairie won the C4-C5 1,000m time trial and set a Games record in qualifying.
• Bonnie (72kg powerlifting) and Abdul Latif (T20 long jump) defended their titles.
• Ammar Aiman took silver in the T20 400m; Yusof Hafizi won cycling bronze.
• Cheah Liek Hou is through to the SU5 singles semi-finals.

FAQ

Q: Who won Malaysia's first gold at the 2026 Asian Para Games? A: Track cyclist Zuhairie Ahmad Tarmizi, in the men's C4-C5 1,000m time trial on 19 October.

Q: How many consecutive Asian Para Games titles has Abdul Latif Romly won? A: Four. His 7.39m jump on 20 October secured a fourth straight T20 long jump gold.

Q: When do the 2026 Asian Para Games end? A: The Games run from 18 to 24 October 2026 across Nagoya and Aichi Prefecture in Japan.

Sources: Bernama, International Paralympic Committee, New Straits Times, Lumi News