PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian Weightlifting Federation (MWF) have roped in Indonesian coach Yon Haryono to help ensure Malaysia can remain gold medal contributors at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham in July.
MWF president Datuk Ayub Rahmat announced yesterday the appointment of the 52-year-old and former national women’s lifter Nurul Jannah Batrisyah to national coaching positions starting next week.
Yon, who competed at the 1988 Olympics in Seoul, was a former coach in Lampung (2006-2013), Balik Papan (2014-2016) and was responsible for guiding Eko Yuli Irawan (pic) in the early years of his illustrious career.
The 32-year-old Eko is still active and is one of Indonesia’s sporting greats, having won four Olympic Games medals – silvers (2016 Rio de Janeiro and 2020 Tokyo) and bronzes (2012 London and 2008 Beijing).
Ayub said their coaching panel conducted interview sessions since November last year.
“We received a few candidates from within and outside of Malaysia for the coaching posts but after discussing with National Sports Council we decided on Yon and Nurul.
“2022 will be a challenging year for weightlifting as we have to get ready for the SEA Games, Commonwealth Games and Asian Games.
“We believe these coaches can help prepare our athletes to win gold at the Commonwealth Games,” said Ayub.
Malaysia have not failed to contribute at least one gold in weightlifting since the 1998 Commonwealth Games in Kuala Lumpur.
At the last Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast in 2018, weightlifting delivered two gold medals through Azroy Hazalwafie (below 56kg) and Muhd Aznil Bidin (below 62kg).
Meanwhile, Ayub also announced that the national body will organise the national qualification meet for the SEA Games in Perlis end of next month and all states athletes are encouraged to participate.
