Archer Suresh Selvathamby has been named the National Para Sportsman for 2019/2020 at the National Sports Awards.

The 29-year-old took home a trophy and RM20,000 in recognition of his achievement in winning the men's recurve event at the 2019 World Para Archery Championships in Holland.

According to reports, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah graced the event held at a hotel in Kuala Lumpur last night.

The event was also attended by Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob, Youth and Sports Minister Ahmad Faizal Azumu, as well as national sports figures and champions.

Track cyclist Azizulhasni Awang swept his fourth National Sportsman of the Year award (2019-2020) while pint-sized wushu exponent Tan Cheong Min was crowned as the National Sportswoman of the Year.

Suresh has come a long way since falling victim to one tragedy after another just a few years ago.

He was only 13 when he lost half his left leg in a lorry accident together with his father, forcing him to depend on a prostethic leg.

He lost his younger sister Karthiyani in 2010, when she was hit by a motorcycle while getting into a school bus.

Suresh's mother Dewani Chandran then worked in a factory to raise him and his younger brother Kalidasan.

He took up archery in 2012 under the tutelage of coach M. Puvaneswaran and the rest is history.

Recalling the grim days, Suresh had previously told the media that people used to tell his mother that he was "worthless" for being in archery, when he was supposed to be looking after the family, as the eldest son of the family.

It is worth noting that Suresh was the first Malaysian to win the world para archery title in 2019.

Congratulations Suresh on the tremendous win! You deserve the award, and more!


Source: Bernama, The Star
Photo source: Bernama, Team Malaysia