How This Malaysian Went From Being A 'Nasi Lemak Boy' To A Paralympic Gold Medallist

Mohamad Ridzuan Mohamad Puzi, fondly known as Dek Wan, was diagnosed with cerebral palsy when he was one-year-old.

With hardwork and tenacity, Ridzuan made headlines when he emerged as the gold medalist for the 100m T36 (celebral palsy) event during the Rio Paralympic Games last year.

Tears of joy fell when Malaysia's national anthem, 'Negaraku', was played at the prestigious game, as Malaysians from all walks of life celebrated his victory.

A netizen took to Twitter recently to share about the hardships that the Perlis-born athlete had to endure before becoming a world champion.

In a series of tweets, a twitter user known as Wahyu Illahi shed light on how a man from a kampung discovered Ridzuan and helped him grow his potentials as an athlete.

It all started in 2004, when Ridzuan was discovered in a talent search organised by the Youth and Sports Ministry.

Affizam, a staff at the Perlis Social Welfare Department, was working as volunteer and coaching OKU (persons with disabilities) athletes.

It is believed that Ridzuan's father had sent him sent to undergo training for furniture-making skills at a workshop in Cuping, Perlis. His father had hoped that Ridzuan not only learn how to make furnitures, but also learn how to take care of himself.

Affizam spotted his talent and dedicated the next two years to fetching Ridzuan back and forth from the workshops to trainings and back home. Later, the transportation woes were resolved when the government allocated a place and the means for Ridzuan and other athletes in similar situations to make a living and have shelter.

He stayed by Ridzuan's side and continued grooming him until 2010.

Wahyu tweeted about how Ridzuan and his friends sold nasi lemak and made burgers just to earn some pocket money. They did all kinds of chores, including washing dishes and cleaning the stall.

That was Ridzuan's daily routine while he worked hard to pursue his dreams as a sprint king.

The boys lived together in a simple room with a bunk bed, a ceiling fan, a slim wooden cupboard, and a 14-inch television. The small room was renovated by Affizam using his own money for their comfort and entertainment.

Now, they can only look back and reminisce the good time they shared together as the place was demolished after Hari Raya Haji last year to make way for new developments.

Chuah Heng Oon, a lorry driver, received news that Ridzuan was looking for someone who could sponsor a new pair of shoes that costs about RM200 because he could not afford them and his old shoes were worn out.

The 57-year-old man responded by gifting Ridzuan a nice and expensive pair of new shoes.

Not long after that, Ridzuan was selected to become a national athlete.

Ridzuan did not forget Chuah's kind deed, as he remembered to thank the man who gave him the shoes after winning the gold medal at the Paralympic Games last year.

Jeganathan, who regarded Ridzuan as his own son, was apparently very strict during trainings.

When Ridzuan was crowned as the Rio Paralympics gold medallist last year, Jeganathan fought back tears as he told his protégé, "This is my son. Thank you, thank you. I may push you and shout at you but this is the outcome."

Wahyu said that these people - Affizam, Jeganathan, and Chuah - have played a major part in shaping Ridzuan to become a world champion.

"Thank you, coach Affizam. Thank you, coach Jeganathan. Thank you, Uncle Heng Oon. Thank you Malaysians for your support," he wrote in a tweet.

Wahyu pointed out that Ridzuan cannot even spell his own name but the man is very driven and determined.

"He may be born disabled and imperfect. But remember, those imperfections are not barriers to success," he wrote.

"Who would have thought that a person with cerebral palsy will be able to shake the world and make the nation proud on the world stage. Thank you, Dek Wan."

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