BIRMINGHAM: Weightlifter Aniq Kasdan overcame strong pressure to deliver Malaysia's first Commonwealth Games gold at the National Exhibition Centre here.
The 20-year-old Games debutant was placed second after the snatch with 107kg behind India's Sargar Sanket Mahadev, who confidently lifted 113kg.
However, misfortune struck for the Indian favourite when he sustained an injury in the clean and jerk routine.
The Indian lifter lifted 135kg and could not clear the next two lifts to settle for a total of 248kg.
That gave Aniq a shot at winning the gold in the 55kg category if he successfully lifted 142kg. He took his chance well and managed to set a new Games record of 249kg en route to snatching the gold and also the first medal for Malaysia with his total of 249kg.
Dilanka Isuru Kumara Yodage of Sri Lanka took bronze with a total of 225kg; 105kg in the snatch and 120kg in the clean and jerk.
