KUCHING: Mohd Farissan Jasnal wants to develop his career further as a Para athlete as he contemplates early retirement being a fisherman.
The 34-year-old athlete said this after winning a gold medal in the Men’s Long Jump T38 event at the Para SUKMA XXI held at Sarawak Stadium here today (Sept 24).
Farissan cited that his passion for becoming an athlete was fueled by the state’s initiative, which provides a monthly allowance to Para athletes.
“I am a fisherman turned athlete and now that I have won gold, I will focus solely on being an athlete from now on.
“Moreover, the state government takes care of Para athletes, and we are given a monthly allowance to train, so I can leave my fishing career,” he said this when met by reporters.
Farissan added that with the substantial allowance, he can focus on training, which will further improve his performance in the future.
The Kampung Bako native is no stranger to Para sports, having won a gold medal and set the record in the Men’s Long Jump T38 with a leap of 5.89 metres during the 2013 Para Asian Games in Myanmar.
Having competed in Para SUKMA since 2008, he had also won two gold medals in the previous editions of the games.
“As I got older, it became harder to win gold, but finally, I have made a comeback this year.
“With this victory, it ignites my spirit to continue training until the next Para SUKMA,” he said.
That being said, Farissan hopes to add more gold medals to his collection in the athletics 200 metres and the relay 4×100 metres events in the coming days.
“If I win more gold medals, Alhamdulillah, but for the next Para SUKMA, I will work even harder to bring home two or three gold medals for Sarawak,” he said.
