Paralympics: Steady Eddy sprints to a bronze for Malaysia’s first medal

National Sprinter Eddy Bernard delivered Malaysia’s first medal at the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games when he clinched bronze in the men’s 100-metre (m) T44 (physical impairment) event at the Stade de France here yesterday.

The Sabah sprinter, running in Lane 3, got off to a good start but lost a bit of momentum mid-race before crossing the finish line in 11.58 seconds (s) for the bronze medal.

That allowed the 23-year-old Paralympic debutant to improve on his personal best of 11.77s, which he set en route to winning a silver medal at the 2024 World Para Athletics Championships in Kobe, Japan in May.

South African Mpumello Mhlongo stormed to the gold medal today in 11.12s while Cuba’s Yamel Luis Vives Suares (11.20s) took silver.

The 2024 Paris Paralympic Games began on Aug 28 and will end on Sept 8.