Khairulnizam battles back from surgery to Asian Games podium

NAGOYA: National sailor Khairulnizam Afendy says his Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games bronze feels like gold after recovering from surgery for a slipped disc.

The 33-year-old finished third among 18 competitors in the men's dinghy event with 14 points. South Korea's Ha Jee-min won gold with nine points, while Hong Kong's Nicholas Bezy took silver with 11.

Khairulnizam spent six months recovering from surgery earlier this year, leaving him just three months for intensive preparations.

"I am grateful to have finished third. This bronze feels like winning gold because I underwent surgery for a slipped disc earlier this year.

"I had been carrying the injury since last year but decided to have surgery after the SEA Games. I needed six months of rest and had only three months to prepare intensively for the Asian Games," he said.

Facing rivals in peak form, Khairulnizam drew on his experience to return to the Asian Games podium after eight years.

"Coming here felt like being born again. I did not set my expectations too high because I knew my preparations were not as good as theirs, but I knew I had experience.

"I used that experience as best I could and, thankfully, I am back on the podium after eight years," he said.

It was his third Asian Games medal, following silvers at Incheon 2014 and Jakarta-Palembang 2018.

Khairulnizam said the achievement showed age need not prevent athletes from contributing to the country.

"I am now the first Malaysian sailor to win three Asian Games medals. It shows that age is no barrier to staying competitive in this sport.

"I hope this inspires young athletes to work harder. If they fail, they must get back up and prove they can succeed too," he said.

He thanked the National Sports Institute, National Sports Council and Malaysian Sailing Association for helping him return to national duty, and paid tribute to his family's sacrifices.

"My wife sacrificed a lot. While I was undergoing rehabilitation in Kuala Lumpur, she looked after our children in Langkawi. During those three months of preparation, I also trained in New Zealand, Langkawi and Singapore.

"I owe so much to my wife, children, father and family for their constant support," said Khairulnizam, who is now targeting qualification for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.