Saturday August 15, 2009

Powerlifter Mariappan aims to hang on to his crown

By Y.P. SIVAM

SEASONED powerlifter P. Mariappan, who is making his third consecutive appearance in the Asean Para Games, is not prepared to surrender his crown.

The 50-year-old Mariappan, who will go into action at Putra Stadium in Bukit Jalil on Monday, has been the King in the 67.5kg category since his debut in the 2005 Games in Manila. He also holds the record of 172.5kg which he did at the last Games in Korat last year.

Mariappan said he had reasons to look ahead to this year’s Games with optimism. Unlike the last two Games, he has been training fulltime under the National Sports Council (NSC) Elite athletes programme.

“I have been in the programme for the past six months. The NSC has also been supportive to me. The NSC director (Datuk Zolkples Embong) has always encouraged me to excel. With all the assistance, I am determined to win the gold medal in the Games,’’ said Mariappan, who has been involved in powerlifting for the past 29 years.

The Asean Para Games will also be a good opportunity for Mariappan to gauge his current form as he is keen to represent Malaysia in the London Paralympics in 2012. Despite his age, Mariappan felt he had the capabilities to match his rivals in the London Games.

Strong men: Mariappan (right) and Mohd Yuspi Mat Dali posing after winning the gold medals in their respective categories at the Korat Asean Para Games last year.

“I have been training diligently. I am happy with my progress and I should be able to qualify for the London Paralympics,’’ said Mariappan.

If he succeeds, then the London Games will be Mariappan’s seventh Paralympics. His first was in Seoul, South Korea in 1988. Despite being a rookie, Mariappan made his presence felt and won a bronze medal. In 1992 in Barcelona, he defended his third placing.

In Atlanta he finished fifth; Sydney (seventh); Athens (fifth) and Beijing (eighth). Mariappan admitted that the competition was high and he had to be at his best.

“But with the NSC’s support and assistance, I am confident of doing well,’’ said Mariappan.

In the Asean Para Games, Malaysia’s contingent of 350 (259 athletes and 91 officials) will be involved in 11 sports — athletics, swimming, bowling, wheelchair tennis, wheelchair basketball, badminton, chess, powerlifting, table tennis, sailing and sitting volleyball.

The Malaysian Paralympic Council (MPC) hopes that the contingent will finish as the runner-up in the overall medal standings.

At the last Games in Korat, Thailand, Malaysia finished behind the Thais with 82 gold, 74 silver and 46 bronze medals.

Malaysia athletics chief coach R. Jeganathan said they would be happy to maintain their 38 gold medal achieved in Korat for this Games.

“It is a realistic target and the athletes are all fully prepared for the Games,’’ said Jeganathan.

The Asean Para Games programme

Athletics: National Stadium, Bukit Jalil (Aug 15-18)

Swimming: National Aquatics Centre, Bukit Jalil (Aug 16-19)

Bowling: Megalanes, Endah Parade, Sri Petaling (Aug 16-18)

Wheelchair tennis: National Tennis Centre, Jalan Duta (Aug 15-19)

Wheelchair basketball: German Institute Hall, Bangi (Aug 16-19)

Badminton: Juara Stadium, Bukit Kiara (Aug 15-19)

Chess: Commonwealth Hall, Bukit Jalil (Aug 15-19)