Noor Askuzaimey's journey from rare genetic disorder to paralympic glory
November 9, 2025
Noor Askuzaimey Mat Salim competes at the Paris Paralympics 2024. Born with Arthrogryposis Multiplex Congenita (AMC), this remarkable Malaysian boccia champion has transformed physical challenges into a journey of extraordinary achievement.
To all those living with rare genetic disorders and physical challenges, Noor Askuzaimey Mat Salim's story is a testament that our circumstances do not define our potential. Born with Arthrogryposis Multiplex Congenita (AMC) on October 6, 1985, this remarkable Malaysian boccia player has transformed what many might see as limitations into stepping stones for success. Her journey teaches us that the human spirit, when fueled by determination and self-belief, can soar beyond any physical constraint. Whether you're facing similar health challenges or simply seeking inspiration to overcome your own obstacles, Noor Askuzaimey's story reminds us that our greatest victories often begin with the simple decision to believe in ourselves.
Understanding AMC: The challenge behind the champion Arthrogryposis Multiplex Congenita (AMC) is not a single condition but a term describing over 400 different congenital disorders characterized by joint contractures in two or more areas of the body. For Noor Askuzaimey, this meant living with joints that were permanently fixed in certain positions, limiting her movement from birth. The causes of AMC include genetic and environmental factors that affect fetal development. People with AMC experience varying degrees of limited joint movement, with or without muscle weakness. While the condition primarily affects the limbs, spine, and jaw, other body systems may also be impacted. Despite these physical challenges, individuals with AMC typically have normal intellectual function unless the brain is specifically affected, as sensation usually remains intact. From discovery to dominance: Noor's boccia journey Noor Askuzaimey's introduction to boccia came in November 2016, relatively late for an elite athlete, when a friend told her about the sport designed for people with coordination impairments. This revelation opened a new world of possibilities. Her competitive spirit quickly shone through as she claimed a silver medal in the pair event at the 2017 ASEAN Para Games in Kuala Lumpur. The following year, at SUKMA Perak 2018, she added two more silver medals to her collection in both individual and pair events. These early successes were just the beginning of what would become an extraordinary athletic career. The golden year The year 2023 marked Noor Askuzaimey's emergence as a dominant force in boccia. Her journey began in June at the ASEAN Para Games in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, where she claimed gold in the BC4 women's individual event. In October, she continued her winning streak at the Asian Para Games in Hangzhou, securing another gold in the same category. December brought her third gold of the year at the World Boccia Asia-Oceania Regional Championships in Hong Kong. These impressive achievements propelled her to a world ranking of 25th by the end of 2023. That same year, she also took on a leadership role as a member of the Paralympic Council Malaysia Athletes' Council, a position she holds until December 2024. Competing on the world's biggest stage Noor Askuzaimey's journey reached its pinnacle when she represented Malaysia at the 2024 Summer Paralympics in Paris, competing in both the women's individual and mixed pairs BC4 events. In the individual competition, she demonstrated remarkable skill, reaching the bronze medal match before narrowly missing the podium after a tough loss to Colombian player Leidy Chica, finishing fourth overall. In the mixed pairs BC4 event, she and partner Abdul Rahman faced strong competition but were eliminated from their pool, unable to advance to the quarterfinals. Despite not securing medals, her Paralympic appearance marked the culmination of years of dedication and hard work, inspiring countless others with similar challenges. Boccia: Strategy, precision, and adaptation Boccia, the sport that became her passion, is a game of strategy and accuracy with similarities to bowls and pétanque. Originally developed for people with coordination impairments, it now includes athletes with various eligible impairments. Played on a flat, smooth surface, competitors face off as individuals, pairs, or teams of three. Each side must throw or roll six colored balls as close as possible to a white target ball called the jack. The team furthest from the jack continues throwing until they either get closest or run out of balls. Boccia requires pinpoint accuracy and strategic thinking, as players can knock any ball to gain advantage. Athletes compete in wheelchairs within four classes (BC1-BC4) based on their impairment's impact on their ability to perform. As a BC4 athlete, Noor Askuzaimey competes in the category for players with impairments affecting all limbs and trunk but without coordination impairment. The power of perspective: Finding strength through sport Noor Askuzaimey's journey in boccia has transformed her perspective on life and disability. "Before my involvement in Boccia, I did not know that there were other persons living with disabilities worse than me," she reflects. "This sport has helped and inspired me to perform even better than before, realizing that other persons with disabilities are striving hard so, if they can do it, so can I." She describes how boccia teaches strategy not just for competition but for life's challenges: "Boccia teaches me strategy to fight against the opponent. Boccia is not an easy game, but it teaches me how to deal with the frustrations and disappointments in life. From a mental health perspective, Boccia has helped give me extraordinary strength. It doesn't come from my body. But it comes from the heart." Beyond the court: Life lessons and personal philosophy Her approach to life and sport offers valuable wisdom for others facing challenges. She emphasizes the importance of patience, honesty, and emotional regulation: "It teaches us to be patient, honest and helps to calm down. When that thing doesn't happen, we try to calm down our feelings and hearts at that time. And then fight until the end." Her advice to young people reflects her growth mindset: "Let the kids explore, learn from their mistakes and learn through the experience because I believe that sports can help shape their character and build empathy and teamwork. Give them the confidence which will last a lifetime." She encourages others to cultivate positivity: "If we keep thinking negative, it is actually useless. We need to plant in ourselves a positive spirit to prove that we can do it, then it will be simplified." The pillars of support: Family as foundation Behind every champion is a strong support system, and for Noor, her family plays that crucial role. As a national athlete and Paralympian, she identifies her husband as her primary support system, emphasizing the importance of having a partner who provides constant encouragement. Her children serve as her ultimate motivation and source of energy, especially during challenging times. "I do it not for myself, not for my husband, but for my children at home," she explains. This family-centered approach gives her the resilience to face setbacks and continue pursuing excellence. Her perspective on failure is particularly instructive: "We don't be afraid of failure. We face it and we learn from it. If you understand where you go wrong, you should learn from it and be a better version of yourself." |
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