Malaysian Weightlifters Face Challenge in Preparations for 2025 SEA Games
The Malaysian Weightlifting Federation (MWF) is bracing itself for a challenging preparation period for the 2025 Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games) in Thailand, as they await official confirmation from the organizing committee on the categories to be used.
According to MWF President Datuk Ayub Rahmat, the decision made at the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) meeting in Manama, Bahrain, is only expected to be known early next year. This uncertainty poses a challenge for the lifters, as they need to adapt to the category changes.
"We have not received confirmation from the (competitions) committee because the IWF, at its meeting in Manama recently, agreed to make changes in terms of categories. That is a challenge for us and the lifters… how we can adapt to the category changes. So, we have not received anything official on whether the Thailand SEA Games will use the old category or adopt the latest instruction on the category change set by IWF," Ayub said.
Ayub also hopes that national lifter Muhammad Aznil Bidin, who will turn 31 next year, can shine in the biennial Games. However, he emphasized that Muhammad Aznil needs to work harder and not become complacent, as seen in his performance at the 2024 World Weightlifting Championships in Manama, Bahrain, where he lifted 308kg, a 28kg difference from the 336kg lifted by the winner from North Korea.
"Although he (Aznil) defeated lifters from Indonesia, the Philippines and elsewhere, we do not know if these countries have better lifters who they might send to the Thailand SEA Games," Ayub said.
At the 2023 Cambodia SEA Games, Nur Syazwani Radzi was the only Malaysian lifter to win a medal, clinching bronze in the women’s 64kg event.
Conclusion
The Malaysian Weightlifting Federation is facing a challenging preparation period for the 2025 SEA Games, as they await official confirmation on the categories to be used. With the uncertainty surrounding the category changes, the lifters need to adapt quickly to ensure a competitive performance in the biennial Games.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the Malaysian Weightlifting Federation’s concern?
A: The MWF is concerned about the category changes made at the IWF meeting in Manama, Bahrain, which may affect the preparation of their lifters for the 2025 SEA Games.
Q: Who is the national lifter being looked upon to shine in the 2025 SEA Games?
A: Muhammad Aznil Bidin is the national lifter being expected to perform well in the biennial Games.
Q: What is the current ranking of Muhammad Aznil Bidin in the weightlifting competitions?
A: Muhammad Aznil Bidin has won two gold medals at the 2018 and 2022 editions of the Commonwealth Games and has recently lifted 308kg at the 2024 World Weightlifting Championships in Manama, Bahrain.