ISKANDAR PUTERI: Paralympian Chew Wei Lun, who won silver in boccia for Malaysia at the recently concluded Tokyo Paralympics 2020, is eyeing a place in the next Paralympics, which will be held in France in 2024.
The 26-year-old, who was born in Johor Baru, said to book his ticket to Paris 2024 Paralympics, all he needs to do is to ensure he has enough points through entering boccia competitions to qualify.
“The next Paralympic is still a long way to go but I really want to qualify for the games. I must make sure that I have enough points to put me in Paris 2024,” he added.
Wei Lun said this when met after receiving RM15,000 in cash incentives from Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Hasni Mohammad for his outstanding performance during the Tokyo Games at Kota Iskandar here Tuesday (Sept 21).
The Johor government handed out RM55,000 in cash incentives to Johor-born athletes who took part in the Olympics and Paralympics held in Tokyo recently.
Besides Wei Lun, other athletes who received cash incentives were track cyclist Mohd Shah Firdaus Sahrom and track athlete Siti Noor Iasah Mohamad Ariffin for their performance in both the Olympic and Paralympic Games, respectively.
Wei Lun added that getting a place in Paris 2024 would be his main priority before thinking about improving on his silver medal.
“Getting a medal is not a target even during the Tokyo Games as what I wanted to do was get boccia the exposure it needs.
“Till today,I still can’t believe that I got a silver medal,” he said.
Wei Lun made history in the Tokyo Games as he became the first Malaysian to win a Paralympics boccia medal, and on his very first try, too.
The world No. 11 put on a giant-killing display in the competition, including beating world No. 2 Witsanu Huatpradit of Thailand, to stay unbeaten in six matches before losing in the BC1 individual final against world No. 1 David Smith of Britain.
He also helped boccia become only the fifth sport after weightlifting, athletics, powerlifting and archery to contribute a medal to the national contingent at the Paralympic Games.
Previously, Wei Lun won silver at the Hong Kong Open in 2019 and at the 2015 Asean Para Games in Singapore.
