Paralympian Abdul Latif Romly & Olympic Diver Leong Mun Yee Conferred Datukships
The duo was bestowed the honour by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong at the Istana Negara on Tuesday, 8 February.
By May Vin Ang — 09 Feb 2022, 03:15 PM
Two-time Paralympic champion Abdul Latif Romly and former national diver Leong Mun Yee were conferred Datukship titles on Tuesday, 8 February
According to New Straits Times, the two athletes were honoured for their sporting achievements with the Panglima Mahkota Wilayah medals, which carry the Datuk title, in conjunction with Federal Territories Day this year.
The duo were bestowed the award by Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah at the Istana Negara.
24-year-old Abdul Latif defended his gold medal title in the men's T20 (intellectual disability) long jump at the Tokyo Paralympics last year
At the previous edition in 2016, he also broke the world record three times at various world championships en route to bagging gold at the Rio de Janiero Paralympics.
"It's a big recognition for the parasports community. I have to thank everybody tasked with guiding and supporting me until today," Abdul Latif said during the ceremony yesterday.
Abdul Latif at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics T20 long jump event on 4 September 2021.
Image via @bernamadotcom (Twitter)Meanwhile, Leong — who formally announced her retirement from diving in January 2022 — is the only Malaysian to have competed in five Olympics
Her first appearance in the Olympics was at the Sydney Games in 2000.
The 37-year-old made her last competitive dive at the Tokyo Olympics last year and is currently assisting coach Li Rui in training the national diving team.
Leong also won Malaysia's first FINA world championships medal with Pandelela Rinong in 2009 in the women's synchronised 10m platform event.
According to her FINA diver's profile, her international medal count includes three FINA world championship medals, one World Cup silver, six Asian Games medals, three at the Commonwealth Games, and an amazing 17 SEA Games gold medals.
Leong and Pandelela Rinong during the women's 10m synchronised final at the Tokyo Aquatics Centre on 27 July 2021.
Image via Reuters/Malay Mail