Brothers Triumph in Swimming After Transition from Athletics

By Subaashinee Kupusamy,

24 SEPTEMBER: In an inspiring turn of events, three visually-impaired brothers from Kapit, Sarawak, found success in the pool at the 2024 Malaysia Para Games held at the Pandelela Rinong Aquatic Centre. Donny Jaranding, 44, led the way by securing two gold medals in the 100-meter freestyle S13 and 100-meter backstroke S13 events, with impressive times of 1:18.00 and 1:46.45 seconds, respectively.

His siblings, Julius, 38, and Stanley, 40, also made significant contributions to the family’s medal tally. Julius earned a silver in the 100-meter freestyle S12 category, clocking in at 1:13.51 seconds, while Stanley claimed bronze with a time of 1:18.03 seconds.

This competition marked Donny’s final appearance at the biennial Games, and he expressed overwhelming joy at achieving podium finishes alongside his brothers. “I’m ecstatic because this is my last SUKMA, and my brothers also won medals,” he shared, thanking their coaches and family for their unwavering support.

Julius reflected on the unique experience of competing with his brothers, while Stanley noted that swimming provided him with better opportunities for success than track and field. Their journey from athletics to swimming has clearly paid off, showcasing their determination and teamwork as stated in BERNAMA.