When it comes to sports, Malaysians from all walks of life would come together to support our athletes.

And when someone messes with one of ours, they mess with all of us.

Short-lived joy

Malaysian Paralympian Ziyad Zolkepli's record-breaking throw in the men’s shot putt F20 competition was sensationally and cruelly snatched away due to a technicality issue.

According to The Star, the 31-year-old managed a stunning effort of 17.94m, securing the gold medal for him and the country.

In fact, Ziyad broke the world record twice enroute to winning the event.

To make his win more impressive, Ziyad's world record bests even the new national record for able-bodied athletes - a national record of 17.54m held by Adi Aliffudin Hussin since 2011.

However, Ziyad's joy was shortlived as officials disqualified the athlete and two others for entering the roll call area late following a protest launched by the Ukraine team.

The roll call area is where the athletes officially begin their competition as they are considered to be in "competition" mode once they are in the area. The athletes will then be escorted by technical officials at all times until they complete their event.

According to the officials, Ziyad was two minutes late to report to the roll call area as he was talking to his mom on the phone.

Ziyad's disqualification means that Ukraine's Koval Maksym and Oleksandr Yarovyi were awarded gold and silver respectively, while Efstratios Nikolaidis of Greece was promoted to bronze.

Malaysians outraged

The decision to disqualify Ziyad has enraged Malaysians, with many of them taking to their social media accounts to voice their displeasure.

Keywords such as 'Ziyad', 'Tokyo Paralympics' and 'unprofessional' were still trending on Twitter hours after the decision was made.

Many opined that Ziyad should've been stopped from competing in the first place if he was found to have violated a rule, not robbing him of the win after the event was over.

This is a shameful decision. An absolute disgrace that goes against the spirit of the Paralympics. If it was a call room violation you should have not allowed them to compete in the first place. Mean spirited and petty. A stolen gold medal and world record.

— Khairy Jamaluddin ??? (@Khairykj) August 31, 2021

Shameful and disappointing decision. Why would you allowed Ziyad to participate after the alleged call room violation?This is unacceptable. https://t.co/vngfgiS8X6

— Syed Saddiq (@SyedSaddiq) August 31, 2021

Ziyad dah menang. Dah pecah rekod dunia!Show some sportsmanship, Ukraine.I hope the Paralympics officials will give justice to our world record breaker. #Gold4Ziyad https://t.co/JkEIa0JZJ2

— Steven Sim ?? #Bangsa (@scheekeong) August 31, 2021

I can't even imagine how Ziyad felt right now .. supposely he would be smile while sleeping now besides his gold medal .. hopefully ziyad strong through out this unfair threat .. JUSTICE FOR ZIYAD !! #EmasMilikZiyad https://t.co/bC5dq4B6uh

— nish (@Hanismas1) August 31, 2021

Malaysia Gold Medal in Shot Put was robbed !Ziyad is the true champion. Not once, but twice he broke his own world record. If he was disqualified because of earlier technical aspect, he should not be able to compete in the first place.

— Bul (@hhhasbullahhh) September 1, 2021

Cried. ??Be strong Ziyad Zolkefli !The whole nation with you ???? https://t.co/bLzqZ86GVi

— Haziqah Mustafar ?? (@ieka93) September 1, 2021

We Malaysians demand justice for Ziyad and another two athletes. What a bad management @Tokyo2020 .Seriously,a bad management.

— NuraRozi ??♥️?? (@RoziNura) September 1, 2021

Muhammad Ziyad Zolkefli won on the FIELD fair and square while smashing TWO world records. Meanwhile, Ukraine decided to protest for something that happened OFF the field. Zero sportsmanship. May you enjoy the gold while being an actual loser. https://t.co/cjWvqGlrhH pic.twitter.com/otVMNzz1Ar

— Typical Malaysian (@TypicalMsian) August 31, 2021

Ziyad Zolkefli's record and Maksym Koval's record. Not even close. Shame on you Ukraine. Justice for Ziyad pic.twitter.com/SQjFo79epH

— Ckinoza Miyomi (@ckinoza) August 31, 2021

You guys let him go into the field. He broke world record with 17.94 meter. He won the gold medal fair and square.But you disqualified his participation only AFTER the game is over?No, no. I'm not having it.Ziyad deserves better than this. https://t.co/eDjotGGCqc

— ; (@khrnkat) August 31, 2021

The whole world witnessed Ziyad BREAK THE WORLD RECORD. No matter what happened, everyone will still remember that HE broke the world record.#justiceforziyad https://t.co/9sHLnc7ifi

— Andrea ? (@andreaxchow) August 31, 2021

If Ziyad was late for call room, why did you let him compete? Why Ukraine protested AFTER the game, not BEFORE? You supposed to disqualify him since the tournament begin. Very unprofessional. Nevertheless, Ziyad broke a world record today ??

— Syaf ? (@AD0RABOWL) August 31, 2021

Then why Ziyad wasn’t disqualified right from the start? He finished all six rounds, broke world record TWICE, secured #Gold , only to be nullified by protest from #UKR AFTER the game concluded??And @Tokyo2020 honoured that protest, hence ripped his podium placing?? INJUSTICE! https://t.co/V21De2yisn

— azazu ? (@AzraaiAzuha) August 31, 2021

LOVE TO SEE THIS.EXACTLY. PARALYMPICS UNFAIR.the protest would have been accepted if it was done BEFORE the game started not AFTER the game where our Malaysian athlete Ziyad, managed to break the world record FAIR AND SQUARE pic.twitter.com/zGi8oxxK4H

— tracy ? (@tootarcuuu) August 31, 2021

A pathetic win. Won the gold medal but I'm sure he can't even sleep in peace knowing Ziyad is actually way better than him. Let the insecurity hits. https://t.co/PCHuQrp6oA pic.twitter.com/f9w37fcCyR

— ♡ (@daniantsh) August 31, 2021

Appeal ongoing

According to Free Malaysia Today, the Malaysian contigent will not be accepting the ruling without a fight.

Newly sworn-in youth and sports minister Ahmad Faizal Azumu said Malaysian officials, as well as those from Australia and Ecuador, have submitted counter-protests to the organisers.

Update Tokyo - Protes drpd Ukraine masih diterima. Counter protest drpd 3 negara akan dibawa ke mesy CDM esok pagi. Kita pertahankan!! Mohon doa rakyat Msia.

— Faizal Azumu (@PejaOfPerak) August 31, 2021

Faizal said in a tweet later that the counter-protests will be raised at the chef de mission meeting on Wednesday (1 September) morning.