Erry to carry on dad’s good name

Like father like son: Muhammad Erry Hidayat, son of former national star Hidayat Hamidon, is making his Games debut in the men’s below 69kg category.

TWENTY years after weightlifter Hidayat Hamidon stood on the SEA Games podium in Jakarta in 1997, it is now his son Muhd Erry Hidayat’s turn to continue his legacy.

Erry is the replacement for reigning Glasgow Com­mo­n­­wealth Games men’s be­low 69kg champion Hafifi Mansor, who was deemed unfit for the Kuala Lumpur SEA Games due to a shoulder injury.

Erry is also competing in the men’s below 69kg category – the same as his father.

The 18-year-old, who was the Sukma gold medallist in Sarawak last year, is looking forward to making his SEA Games debut.

“My name was shortlisted but I did not expect to be picked.

“I’m excited as this is my first senior outing. I know it will be tough to get a medal as there are far better lifters in my category.

“Hafifi would have had a better chance. I do not have high expectations, just hoping to learn from the experience,” said Erry, who captured gold for Malaysia at the Common­wealth Youth Games (CYG) in Samoa two years ago.

Weightlifting, which offers five gold medals, will take place at MiTEC from Aug 28-30.

Hidayat, the 1998 KL Commonwealth Games gold medallist, is proud to see his son con­tinuing the family legacy in the SEA Games.

Hidayat, 42, said he never forced his son to take up weightlifting.

“I left it to him to decide what he wanted to do in his free time.

“Erry is showing signs of a promising future in weightlifting.

“I hope he can make the country proud, just like I did before,” said Hidayat when interviewed yesterday.

See our full coverage of SEA Games 2017