No heavy heart for Erry as only the world champion is better than him

CHONBURI: The world champion walked away with the win, but it was national weightlifter Erry Hidayat who won the cheers by lifting the silver medal in the men’s 79kg category.

The 26-year-old clinched second place with a total weight of 336kg - comprising 149kg in the snatch and 187kg in the clean and jerk - at the Chonburi Sports School Gymnasium.

It was Erry’s third SEA Games medal but his first silver, with his two previous being bronze medals from the 2019 Manila and 2021 Hanoi editions.

The silver medal behind Paris Olympics gold medallist Rizki Juniansyah of Indonesia, who won gold with a new world record in the clean and jerk event, was proof for Erry that he has what it takes to go up against the best in the region.

“I felt that people doubted my abilities before, but I have proved that I can compete with Olympic athletes,” said Erry.

“I knew it was going to be tough going up against the Olympic gold medallist, but I’m happy I got silver.”

Erry, whose father Mohd Hidayat Hamidon won the 1998 Commonwealth Games gold, said he aims to follow in his father’s footsteps at the Games in Glasgow, Scotland, next year.

“I have been preparing since early this year, mainly for the SEA Games and the Commonwealth Games next year,” said Erry.

Meanwhile, Rizki surpassed his own world record in the clean and jerk event with his lift of 205kg.

He previously set the world record of 204kg at the 2025 World Championships in October. Lifting 160kg in the snatch in Bangkok, Rizki took gold with a 365kg total.

Thailand’s Natthawut Suepson came in third with a 335kg total lift - 155kg in the snatch and 180kg in the clean and jerk.