KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian Weightlifting Federation (MWF) president Datuk Ayub Rahmat has indicated that the country’s three leading weightlifters might give the Cambodia SEA Games 2023 a miss to concentrate on qualifying for the Olympic Games.
He said the three are Birmingham Commonwealth Games gold medallists Mohamad Aniq Kasdan and Muhammad Aznil Bidin as well as silver medallist Muhammad Erry Hidayat.
“Next year MWF will focus on championships which offer qualifying points for Paris Olympics 2024 but there is also the Cambodia SEA Games next year, so we have to make a choice.
“Athletes going for Olympics qualifying tournaments may not be sent to the SEA Games because it clashes with a qualifying tournament in South Korea,” he told Bernama when contacted.
Ayub said MWF had not decided on the squad to be sent for the regional games but would continue to be on the lookout for athletes who could meet the requirements in terms of physical and mental strength.
He expressed satisfaction with the achievements of national weightlifters in international competitions this year.
“The national championships will be used to assess weightlifters and only those who meet the qualifying marks would be sent for the SEA Games.
“Previously, we had eight athletes (including Mohamad Aniq, Muhammad Aznil and Muhammad Erry) and we will see if the remaining five are eligible. Back-up athletes will also be considered,” he said.
In the 31st SEA Games in Hanoi, Vietnam last May, Mohamad Aniq won bronze in the men’s 55kg category, Muhamad Aznil took silver in 61kg category and Muhammad Erry settled for bronze in 73kg category.
The 32nd SEA Games will be held in Phnom Penh from May 5 to 17 next year. – BERNAMA
