Heavy work ahead for Aniq, Aznil lights up after best finish

PETALING JAYA: It’s a tale of different fortunes for the nation’s top two weightlifters heading to the SEA Games following the conclusion of the World Champion­ships in Norway recently.

Paris Olympics weightlifter Aniq Kasdan (pic) is still struggling with a shoulder tendon injury as he only managed to finish 13th in the men’s 60kg category.

The 23-year-old from Johor lifted a total of 266kg (115kg snatch, 151kg clean and jerk).

It was still a marked improvement from his efforts at the Commonwealth Championships in Ahmedabad, India, where he lifted 253kg to finish third.

Aniq though admitted he is still not at full strength but is optimistic he has what it takes to bounce back stronger at the SEA Games in Thailand.

“I did not want to force myself. What I did was what I have been doing in training. I have lifted 297kg before and hopefully, I can recover in two months time for the SEA Games.

“The physiotherapy sessions are important to help me get back to full fitness and I believe I can challenge the Indonesians and Thais if I can lift a personal best,” said Aniq, who finished fourth in his Olympic debut in Paris last year.

On the other hand, Mohd Aznil Bidin is all smiles after achieving a top five finish in his category at the world meet.

Aznil finished fifth in the men’s 65kg category with a total lift of 301kg (135kg in snatch, 166kg in clean and jerk).

Aznil has been in good form participating in his new category this year.

He won gold at the Commonwealth meet after lifting a total of 297kg (125kg in snatch, 172kg in clean and jerk).

“It’s my best finish in a World Championships. Hopefully, I will be considered for the Road to Gold programme after this as one of the criteria was to achieve a top five finish in the world.

“I want to continue to improve on my rankings and the SEA Games is the next big objective after this,” said the 31-year-old.