Only the best will do for the Sultanate in their upcoming challenge for honours in the inaugural Asian Para Games from December 12-19.

All 10 athletes that will compete in Guangzhou have proven their capabilities on the international stage having collected medals at the 5th Asean Para Games last year in Kuala Lumpur.

With this in mind, the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports (MCYS) have once again entrusted the individuals to deliver, only this time at a larger international platform.

"There is nothing to be afraid of. Believe in yourself because we can do this. The country has faith in you to perform at your best," said MCYS deputy minister Datin Hjh Adina Othman, when delivering words of encouragement at the Brunei International Airport in Berakas before the contingent's departure yesterday.

It should come to no surprise that the MCYS holds its athletes in such high regards as three of the 10 athletes currently hold an Asean Para Games record after their outing last year in which they recorded nine gold, five silver and seven bronze medals.

Alihan Muda has bragging rights in the F35 shot put event after he threw 8.67 metres to grab gold and rewrite the history books.

The 37-year-old was also Brunei's lone para athlete in October's New Delhi Commonwealth Games.

He finished sixth in a field of nine athletes in the F34 shot put event with a best throw of 8.10m.

Hirdan Hj Abdul Kadir shattered the F55 discus throw record with a 24.16m attempt at the Asean Para Games, while compatriot Shari Hj Jumat claims the F55 javelin throw record with a distance of 25.17m.

Sibuang Hj Kalong, Rosli Hj Hastan and John Vianni Anak Chandau will join the record-breakers for the conquest of medals in the field events in Guangzhou.

Sibuang was Brunei's lone medallist in the last edition of the Far East and South Pacific Games for the Disabled (Fespic) Games in Kuala Lumpur four years ago.

Undoubtedly one of the favourites in Guangzhou, Sibuang also emerged victorious last year, finishing on top of the podium in the men's javelin F11 event.

However the gold fest could not have happened without Rosli, who clutched three gold medals (F44 shot put, javelin and discus throw).

John Vianni nabbed a silver and a bronze medal in the F44 javelin and shot put events respectively to add to the tally.

The Sultanate's sole women field event representative, Norhensan Hj Mataha, who notched bronze in Kuala Lumpur will also make her presence felt in China.

Coached by Lim Chee Wee, all of the participants will contest in javelin, shot put and discus throw in their respective categories.

Meanwhile Razali Subi, Martin Dawat and An Nurhaiyyu Md Yusof make up the contingent's representative in the track events.

An Nurhaiyyu was a triple medal winner at the Asean Para Games where she managed to win gold in the F/T12 long jump event, and two bronze in the 100m and 200m events.

Razali and Martin claimed a gold and bronze in the F44 long jump and T12 100m respectively in Kuala Lumpur.

Razali will spearhead the challenge in the 100-metre, 200m and long jump, while compatriots Martin and An Nurhaiyyu take on the 100m, 200m and 400m events.

Led by chef-de-mission Hj Rosmadee Hj Md Daud, the 10 athletes will compete among an estimated 5,500 athletes from 45 countries in the eight-day gold rush.

Courtesy from Brunei Times