On August 29th 2021, famous paralympian Muhammad Diroy Noordin broke the national record at the F40 final during the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics with a record throw of 9.92m. Also beating his personal best, Diroy took to Instagram, thanking everyone who has been supporting him throughout his journey. The national record set by Diroy is unarguably an incredibly proud moment for both Diroy and Singaporeans, but what else do we know about the man behind the astounding feat? Here are 5 things you didn't know about athlete and paralympian Muhammad Diroy Noordin.
Paralympian Muhammad Diroy Noordin
1. He studied design in ITE and Temasek Polytechnic
Credit: diroyland on Instagram
Beyond just sports, Diroy enjoys design. He studied Graphic Design in ITE College Central Singapore and Visual Communication Design at Temasek Polytechnic. Talent knows no limits, it seems!
2. He seems to love travelling as much as we do!
Credit: diroyland on Instagram
Take to his Instagram and you'll see pictures of his travels. In fact, one of his proudest moments is being able to compete overseas! From Paris to Tokyo, he's taken pictures at the Eiffel Tower, captured memories at Sidi Bou Said in Tunisia and even enjoyed the sights of Berlin.
3. He has won 4 other medals in sporting events
Credit: diroyland on Instagram
Diroy magnificently won gold for his first overseas championship, and went on to win three more! In an IG post for the 4th China Open Athletics Championships in 2016 (his first overseas championship), Diroy wrote in an Instagram post, "This is my first time to compete overseas and it was so good. It was really a great experience. I hope the gold medal it's the first of the many.''
In the coming years, he would go on to win silver in the 2017 Asian Para Games, Gold in the 2018 China Open Athletics Championships and Silver in the World Para Athletics Grand Prix Tunisia in 2019.
4. In 2019 he was named the Sportsman of the Year at the Singapore Disability Sports Awards
Credit: Singapore Disability Sports Council on Facebook
After his win in 2019, Diroy deservedly won the Sportsman of the Year along side Yip Pin Xiu (sportswoman) in the Singapore Disability Sports Awards! Taking to Instagram, he was surprised to have even won it!
''Not sure how I can WIN IT! but I think the progress that I achieved it and show up every year. And mostly not to forget, to those people who support me in whatever outcome. Thank you.''
5. He was the flag bearer during the opening ceremony at Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games Opening Ceremony
Credit: diroyland on Instagram
As flag bearer during the opening ceremony, Diroy was nervous but proud: "It was an honour for me to stand tall at the Olympic Stadium and to hold our country's flag. While I was a bit nervous, I focused on consistency and ensured our flag flew high,'' he told Straits Times.
"I hope that my involvement as flag bearer has created more awareness of the Paralympic movement and brought pride to Singapore."
This year, Diroy's third throw landed at 9.85m, then 9.92m on his sixth and final throw, both beating the previous national record of 9.78m (which impressively, was set by him in June 2021 during the Singapore Athletics Performance Trial). While his aim might have been for the 10m mark at the Paralympics, he was pleased to beat the national record twice and achieve his personal best.