KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 4 — About 17 years ago, N. Gohilam of Selangor was bedridden due to a stroke but with true grit she fought her way back to better health and today she proudly clinched the gold medal for lawn bowl at the 2022 Malaysian Para Games (Para Sukma).
In the final of the B7 women’s singles lawn bowling event (leg disability) at the Bukit Kiara Sports Complex, the 42-year-old athlete defeated Salmiah Zakaria of Negeri Sembilan 10-9 to emerge champion.
Nor Azian Daud, who is also from Negeri Sembilan, took the bronze medal after recording a 19-7 victory over Nur Hajar Abd Majid of Selangor.
“I am very happy even though I only narrowly won by one point because this is my third appearance at Para Sukma, after the Pahang (2012) and Perak (2018) editions which did not yield results,” she told Bernama here today.
Recounting the dark moment she experienced in 2005, Gohilam, who at that time was only suffering from a normal fever, did not expect to have a sudden stroke that paralyzed her entire body.
Refusing to admit defeat before fighting, she continued to undergo various treatments until she was able to return to her usual daily routine and establish herself as a Selangor athlete in 2012.
“When I had a stroke in 2005, there was nothing to do at home so I decided to become an athlete. When I was able to walk I contacted the National Sports Council (MSN), they did help to place me in the lawn bowl team.”
“When I had a stroke, I couldn’t walk, I just lay in bed and after undergoing various treatments, I was able to be myself again. However, until now the left side is still weak,” she said.
The eldest of the two silbings, would like to dedicate the victory to her family members, the Selangor coaching staff and all parties who have always given their undivided support since she was involved in the lawn bowl in the past 10 years.
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