National weightlifter Aznil Bidin
PETALING JAYA: National weightlifter Aznil Bidin has secured early qualification to next year's Glasgow Commonwealth Games after snatching gold at the Commonwealth Championships in Ahmedabad, India today (Aug 26).
The 31-year-old held his challengers at bay to clear 125kg in the snatch and 172kg in the clean and jerk to win the men's below 65kg category on his total of 297kg.
Aznil was competing in the men's below 65kg category for the first time since it was introduced in June by the International Weightlifting Federation
India's Raja Muthupandi came in second on 296kg (128kg for snatch and 168kg for clean and jerk) while Papua New Guinea's Morea Baru came in third on 292kg (127kg for snatch and 165kg for clean and jerk).
The overall winner in each weight class secures automatic qualification to the Commonwealth Games next year.
It was also Malaysia's first gold at this edition of the Commonwealth Championships.
Aznil previously competed in the men's below 67kg class, which has now been abolished.
