PETALING JAYA: The rise of Aniq Kasdan has come at the right time to restore the image of the Malaysian Weightlifting Federation (MWF) who are often bugged by doping scandals.
It will not be an over-statement that Aniq, who narrowly missed out on a medal to finish fourth in the men’s 61kg in his first Olympic Games in Paris, is possibly the right character to attract more to take up the sport.
The MWF’s last trouble was during the 2022 Malaysia Games (Sukma) where three athletes failed doping tests and the national body needed Aniq’s exploits to clear their name and earn the faith of the public.
It takes sheer guts, character and quality to go for broke against Olympic class lifters and despite being 22, Aniq did exactly that last week.
Questions arose over the decision by his coach Edmund Yeo and team manager Amirul Hamizan Ibrahim for setting a high 174kg target, four kilogrammes heavier than his personal best of 170kg, in the clean and jerk (C&J).
Aniq tried to meet the mark but he lost out to Hampton Morris of the United States by a mere 1kg.
Aniq’s total of 297kg was a new national record.
MWF president Datuk Ayub Rahman explained in length on why Aniq decided to try the 174kg target and despite the heart-wrenching miss, he believed the young lifter has done extremely well to revive the sport.
“We needed a miracle in Paris and it almost happened. Aniq was unfortunate that he missed a medal but he has announced the arrival of Malaysian weightlifting in the global stage.
“We needed that to attract the attention of the public and get more talents to take up the sport. As for Aniq, he has shown he has the quality to become a top class lifter and should be looking at more success and eventually try again for the podium finish at the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.”
With China’s gold medal winner Li Fabin, 30, and Indonesian multiple medallist Eko Yuli Irawan likely to retire, the battle at the 2028 Los Angeles is expected to be among Morris, the 20-year-old silver medal winner Theerapong Silachai and Aniq.
Aniq has remained humble.
“It was a definitely an improved performance but there are several weaknesses I need to rectify and keep progressing in training,” said Aniq.
“Morris, Theerapong and I are of the same age and God willing, I hope to fight them for gold at LA28.”
