A freak umbrella accident robbed him of much of his eyesight 33 years ago.
But his disability has not stopped visually impaired national para bowler Mohamad Ismail (above) from achieving his dreams.
Having won the top spot in the singles event at the 2015 Asean Para Games, his next biggest challenge will be at the IBSA Tenpin Bowling Singles World Championships in Warsaw, Poland.
The event, which starts tomorrow and is the first singles world championships for the blind and partially sighted, is hosted by Start, the Polish Sports Association for persons with Disabilities.
“I am honoured to be the only bowler from Singapore to be selected for this prestigious event,” said Ismail.
“The biggest opponent I will face there is myself and, if I’m able to overcome that, results will come naturally.”
The 33-year-old made his debut in the 2010 Asian Para Games in China and nabbed the doubles bronze. He has been on the rise since, even clinching back-to-back singles golds in the Asean Para Games.
Ismail will be leaving for Poland tonight, alongside his coach Sam Goh, who has been mentoring him since 2014.
“I will be letting nature take its course but, of course, a medal will be nice no matter what the colour,” Ismail added.
“I want to be motivated and prove to every visually impaired individual that you do not need to have perfect eyesight to excel.”
Source: www.tnp.sg
