PHOTO GALLERY

Malaysia’s paralympic contingent to the Rio games received a warm welcome on their parade in Kuala Lumpur today.

The team arrived at Jalan Tun Razak from KLIA in their open roofed double-decker bus at about 6.30pm, and made their way to KLCC where they were greeted by hundreds of fans.

They then went to Pavillion mall in Bukit Bintang, where some 400 people, including 250 junior footballers from Akademi Tunas, cheered wildly when the parathletes arrived.

Gold medallists Mohamad Ridzuan Mohamad Puzi (100m sprint, T36), Muhammad Ziyad Zolkefli (shot put F20) and Abdul Latif Romly (long jump T20), and bronze medalist Siti Noor Radiah Ismail (T20 long jump) then got off the bus to meet the fans, who jostled for an opportunity to take photos of the champions.

They spent about 15 minutes outside the mall before leaving for the Paralympics Excellence Centre in Kampung Pandan for a celebratory feast.

Akademi Tunas coach Mohd Faizul Mohd Idrus said meeting the paralympians was a great opportunity for his trainees, who are 12 years old and younger, to get some inspiration.

“We brought them here so they can learn to appreciate the hard work put in by the national heroes, who are a source of inspiration for them,” Mohd Faizul told reporters.

Twelve-year-old Muhammad Nurhakim Abdul Latip said he was overwhelmed to get the chance to see the Paralympians up close.

“I’m happy... I want to be the best footballer in the world,” the junior athlete added when asked what his goals were.

The gold medals bagged at Rio were Malaysia’s first in the Paralympics.

Muhammad Ziyad and Abdul Latif both broke world records, with the latter setting a new record three times on his way to gold.