Each Abilympian has a unique story to tell, but share one common goal – to bring home a medal from the International Abilympics. Get to know these Abilympians and how they became a part of the Abilympics.
Rosemary Yvonne Marcus
18-year old Anis is the youngest Malaysian Abilympian who will be participating at the 10th International Abilympics competition. Anis, the eldest among four siblings, has multiple disabilities. Anis is constantly encouraged by her mother who has been her pillar of strength, giving her confidence and support to follow her dreams. Anis completed her studies at Sekolah Menengah Pendidikan Khas Vokasional (SMPVK) Merbok, Kedah and it was here that Anis was informed about Abilympics by her teacher. She took part in the National Abilympics competition under the Embroidery category in 2018 and emerged the champion, enabling her to now represent Malaysia at the International Abilympics competition. Anis has a unique talent and skill in embroidery, creating beautiful designs where the designs and colours harmonise well. Today, Anis is a busy entrepreneur as she joins her mother in the business of sewing and selling telekung (prayer garments) from their hometown in Kuala Kangsar, Perak.
Chew's persistence and determination has brought her to where she is today. At 55 years of age, Chew is the oldest Malaysian Abilympian who will represent the country at the 10th International Abilympics competition. Chew, a deaf mother of two children, first participated at the National Abilympics competition in 2015 after learning about it from the Penang Deaf Association. The representation to compete at the 9th International Abilympics competition in France was only reserved for the first place winner. Winning the second place, Chew was determined, never gave up and once again tried her best in the Dressmaking (Advanced Course) category at the National Abilympics competition in 2018. This time, she won the first spot, enabling her to qualify for the 10th International Abilympics competition. Chew's perseverance is inspiring as she gives her best in all that she does. At the age of 15, Chew left school and learnt a little bit of sewing from her aunt who had a tailoring shop. However, she took the extra effort and explored books to learn more, and also had basic training at the Social Welfare Department. Chew is now a full-time seamstress at a private hospital in Penang and sews on a part-time basis for those requiring her personal sewing services.
As a first-timer, David is very excited and thankful for the opportunity given to him to participate at the 10th International Abilympics competition in the skill category of Photography (Studio). David is a photographer at Allianz Malaysia Berhad (Allianz Malaysia), the Main Partner of Abilympics Malaysia. It is through Allianz Malaysia that David, who is deaf, learnt about Abilympics. This 34-year old from Selangor loves travelling, and is the third among four siblings. He completed his education in Photography at the LimKokWing University of Creative Technology and was working as a freelance photographer before joining Allianz Malaysia. David still does freelance photography on a part-time basis. Portraying a positive attitude and great determination to achieve his desire, David's dream is to own a photography studio someday. Besides his eagerness to learn and sharpen his skills, David's passion for photography and computer graphics is a perfect blend and an added advantage for a medal at the International Abilympics competition.
At the tender age of three, Haymasuthan came down with a high fever that left him deaf. Growing up, he was inquisitive over cameras and used take pictures using his uncle's camera. Upon completing his studies, Haymasuthan worked as an Administrative Executive at his father's company, while his interest in photography never left him. He pursued his interest and decided to take up a job as an Assistant Photographer, photographing interiors, food and beverages, and commercial products. Haymasuthan later found out that Photography (Studio) was one of the categories included in the International Abilympics through his friend, Abilympics gold medallist, Lim Anuar. This piqued his interest in the Abilympics, and when the Malaysian Federation of the Deaf (MDF) announced about the National Abilympics competition in 2015, he took the opportunity to participate and took the first spot. In 2016, he represented Malaysia at the 9th International Abilympics competition in Bordeaux, France. Here, Haymasuthan bagged the gold medal, which was a big boost for his confidence. Today, this 38-year old Selangor native owns his own successful freelance photography business. As the participation for the 10th International Abilympics was announced last year, Haymasuthan took the leap forward for the second time and is excited that he will represent Malaysia again, hopeful to win yet another gold medal for the country.
Khairunnisa is well known for her bubbly and friendly nature. This 31-year old who loves arts and craft will be representing Malaysia at the 10th International Abilympics competition in the skills category of Word Processing. Kharunnissa has a rare disease known as osteogenesis imperfecta that has left her physically disabled. Khairunnisa never limited herself in what she can do and achieve. She completed her degree in Information Systems Management in UiTM, and currently works as an Administrative Assistant at the Kuala Muda District Social Welfare Office in Sungai Petani, Kedah. When she found out about Abilympics through a brochure from her workplace, she immediately jumped at the opportunity to take part in the National Abilympics competition. The first time Khairunnisa took part in the National Abilympics competition was in 2015. She won the first place and represented Malaysia at the 9th International Abilympics competition held in France. That was the first time she had been overseas and represented in an international competition. With experience gained through this competition, Khairunnisa once again tried and gave her best at the 2018 National Abilympics competition and out beat her competitors to represent Malaysia at the 10th International Abilympics competition.
Loh is a 33-year old Web Designer who loves surfing the internet and jogs as a hobby. The third among four siblings, Loh was born deaf. This Selangor native who enhances his skills by watching online tutorials, first found out about the State and National Abilympics competition from a Facebook announcement by the Malaysian Federation of the Deaf (MDF). Loh decided to join in the competition in the skills category of Creating Webpages in the 2015 National Abilympics competition and won the second spot. Although this did not qualify him to participate at the 9th International Abilympics competition in Russia, he never gave up and tried again at the 2018 National Abilympics competition. This time, he took the first spot which qualified him to participate at the 10th International Abilympics competition. Loh is looking forward to this competition and vows to give his best and bring home great victory for the country.
Mohd Yunus was 15-years old when an interest in floral arrangement sparked in him. He was exposed to this skill as his mother was operating a business in making hantaran (bridal dowry decorations). Since then, Mohd Yunus who was born deaf, pursued this skill and today, he owns a bridal boutique and does floral arrangement for his clients. As an avid floral arrangement competition participant, this 49-year old father of six children found out about Abilympics from the newspaper and magazines. He was also informed about the National Abilympics competition by his teacher while he was still studying. In 2006, Mohd Yunus participated at the National Abilympics competition and qualified for the 7th International Abilympics Competition held in Shizuoka, Japan the following year. Although he did not win any medals at this competition, his representation elevated his desire to try again, and in 2018, Mohd Yunus once again participated at the National Abilympics competition and took the lead in the Floral Arrangement skill category. This enabled him to qualify for the 10th International Abilympics competition and Mohd Yunos is determined to bring home a medal this time around.
21-year old Muhammad Darwisy from Johor is not only known to be an excellent photographer, but he is also passionate about art. Nevertheless, he chose to participate at the skill category of Photography (Outdoor) when he found out about the 2018 National Abilympics competition from his lecturer at the Ibrahim Sultan Polytechnic in Pasir Gudang, Johor. He decided to give his best shot at the competition and won the first place, enabling him to travel overseas to compete at the upcoming 10th International Abilympics competition. Muhammad Darwisy is the eldest among two siblings and was born deaf. He first learnt about the basics of photography when he was in secondary school and developed his skills from there. Muhammad Darwisy has since graduated from the polytechnic and now works as a Graphic Designer. He is also a freelance photographer for special occasions such as weddings, and gives back to the community by volunteering at the Persatuan Ibubapa dan Penjaga Anak-Anak Pekak Johor Bahru (JBPESIBA).
Salahuddin bin Ahmad Kamsan
Holding on to the saying, 'Life is a challenge,' Muhammad Hanif welcomes challenges in life as it contributes to growth and maturity. This 19-year old Selangor native with learning difficulty strongly believes in giving his best in every opportunity that comes by and chases his dream of working in the field of hotel management and restaurant services. Currently working as a Barista in a cafe, he was first exposed to restaurant services by his lecturer while he was studying at the Selayang Community College. It was also his lecturer who informed him about the National Abilympics competition in 2018. Muhammad Hanif, holding on to his believes, took this opportunity and gave his best at the competition in the skill category of Restaurant Services and come out on top. Today, he will live yet another dream as he will represent Malaysia at the 10th International Abilympics competition.
A Basic Culinary Arts student from the Selayang Community College, 20-year-old Najwa Mahmud has a unique interest in data processing. Her interest began since she was in school and in 2019, it became a catalyst for her to move further when she took the first spot for the skill category of Data Processing - Basic at the National Abilympics Competition. Winning the national level competition qualified her to compete at the 10th International Abilympics competition. Diagnosed with learning disability, Najwa breaks all stereotypes and proves that a diagnosis is not a barrier in achieving one's goal. All it takes is passion, determination and practise.
Since she was very young, Nur Amiratul loved drawing and painting. Her father used to take her for art classes, and from there Nur Amiratul learnt the many techniques of drawing and painting. Her interest in art further elevated as her older brother is also a talented artist and she often looks up to him and learns from him. Being deaf, 22-year old Nur Amiratul looks towards creating fantasy and nature themed drawings as she feels a strong sense of fascination and finds serenity in these. Currently a designer and an artist at a Non-Governmental Organisation in Johor, Nur Amiratul is an avid participant of art competitions. She first found out about the 2018 National Abilympics competition from her lecturer while she was still studying at the Sultan Ibrahim Polytechnic. She took on the challenge in the Painting skill category and became the winner at the competition, enabling her to be part of the 10th International Abilympics competition. Nur Amiratul is elated in being part of this competition as it will be the biggest competition she would participate in, especially one that involves Persons with Disabilities (PWDs).
At the age of 14, Shahrul Nizam, second among three siblings, fell from a tree. The impact left him physically disabled. Although it was tough in the beginning, he was determined amidst the challenges he faced, with his mother as his pillar of strength. A few years later, he chose to learn tailoring as he saw the potential in this field, enabling him to have a bright future. Known to be disciplined, Shahrul Nizam enhanced his tailoring skills by enrolling for a tailoring course at Institut Kemahiran Murni (IKMU) and emerged as the best student. Today, this 46-year old from Selangor is a thriving tailor who plays bowling as a hobby. In 2018, Shahrul Nizam found out about the National Abilympics competition from a doctor. He decided to take up the challenge and won the first place, qualifying him to represent the country at the 10th International Abilympics competition in the skill category of Dressmaking (Basic Course). With his persistence and perseverance, Shahrul Nizam vows to give his best and make Malaysia proud in the international arena.
For Muhammad Hafizunif who is deaf, it would be his first time travelling outside the country as he represents Malaysia in the 10th International Abilympics in the skill category of Cake Decoration. He found out about Abilympics from an invitation received at Politeknik Syed Tuanku Sirajuddin in Perlis, where he was studying then. This determined 23-year old can lip read in Malay and is recognised for being extremely competent, a fast learner and passionate about giving his best in everything he does. Muhammad Hafizunif showed great interest in Cake Decoration while he was at the polytechnic, thus his lecturer decided to take him as a partner in a cake decoration competition, where they won a silver medal. Muhammad Hafizunif is familiar with competitive environment as he had participated in various competitions and won medals. He hopes to win at the International Abilympics competition and make his parents proud as a token of appreciation for the sacrifices they have made to make him the person he is today.
Second-time participant, Yow first participated at the 9th International Abilympics held in France in 2016 in the skill category of Computer Assembly. Although Yow was confident in winning, he faced a great challenge in understanding instructions which were in French. Nevertheless, Yow never gave up and completed his task at the competition and gained valuable experience. Persevering, Yow once again took the challenge and participated at the 2018 National Abilympics competition and won the first place, qualifying him to participate at the 10th International Abilympics competition. 35-year old Yow who was born deaf, works at a bakery in Kuala Lumpur. He has had the interest in computers and software since he was a child. Just as he passionately creates recipes for food, he uses his knowledge and capability to find solutions and repair computers that do not work as they should. Yow first found out about Abilympics from Ms. Rose Ng, the Honorary Treasurer of the Malaysian Council for Rehabilitation (MCR). He hopes to bring home a medal from the competition this time around.