Kuala lumpur: For national para athlete Muhammad Ziyad Zolkefli, the month of Ramadan is not merely a time for worship, but also a period to maintain a high level of athletic discipline. Unwilling to allow his training intensity to ease during the holy month, the men's shot put F20 (intellectual disability) gold medallist at the 2016 Rio Paralympic Games is prepared to become a 'night owl', training on the field until the early hours of the morning. Muhammad Ziyad also admitted that he feels fresher and more energised when training during Ramadan.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Muhammad Ziyad's training schedule, which is usually during the day, has now shifted to accommodate his Ramadan routine. He allocates about two hours for weightlifting training at the gym, from 4 pm to 6 pm, before continuing with throwing practice at night after tarawih prayers, from 9.30 pm until 2 am. He expressed that he feels fresher as he gets sufficient rest during the day and is even more motivated to train during Ramadan.

Fresh from winning gold at the 2025 ASEAN Para Games in Korat, Thailand, last month, Muhammad Ziyad is now sharpening his edge for the 2026 World Para Athletics Grand Prix in Rabat, Morocco. He stated that he is carrying forward the momentum from Korat, with the aim of clinching gold at the championships, to be held at the Olympic Stadium in Rabat from April 23 to 26. Success in Morocco would serve as an additional boost before he competes at the 2026 Asian Para Games, scheduled to take place from Oct 18 to 24.

Muhammad Ziyad is a three-time consecutive gold medallist in the men's shot put F20 event at the Asian Para Games and also holds the Asian record of 17.43 metres, set in Japan in 2024.