Constantine Clement is a gold medal prospect in the 62kg category. - filepic
PETALING JAYA: The target to bring home more than five medals - at least two gold - at the upcoming Commonwealth Games seems achievable as the Malaysian Weightlifting Federation (MWF) names it’s strongest line-up yet.
The men’s team will comprise of Faizal Baharom and Zulhelmi Md Pisol (both 56kg), Constantine Clement (62kg), Mohd Hafifi Mansor and Mohammad Azril Huzairi Ramli (69kg), Abdul Mubin Rahim and Loro Wellkinson Peuji (both 77kg) and Mohd Faiz Musa (94kg), while Syarifah Inani Najwa Syed Omar (48kg), Azizah Fadzil (53kg, Frenceay Titus (58kg) and Nur Jannah Batrisyah (above 75kg) with compete in the women’s event.
“This is our strongest squad yet and represent our best hopes to land as many medals,” said MWF secretary-general Pang Siew Huat.
“Our strength has always been in the lightweight category. This time, we’ve got lifters in more categories in particular the heavyweight category in both the men and women which bodes well for us,” he added.
Malaysia have not returned empty handed since the Victoria Games of 1994. Their best performance to date was at the 2002 Manchester Games in which they bagged their biggest meadal haul - eight in total with three gold and five bronze.
A repeat of the feat is on the cards should the lifters perform at the Games which will take place in Glasgow, Scotland this July 23-Aug 3.
“We’re banking on at least two gold medals from Hafifi and Constantine. They are both ranked far ahead than their rivals so they look a sure bet for it and we’re hoping expecting top-three finish from Faizal. Azizah and Syarifah (Najwa) are also serious contenders and we expect them to finish on the podium as well,” said Siew Huat.
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