Syahmi equals his idol Erry with silver

CHONBURI: National weightlifter Mohd Syahmi Nor Ghazali was only 13 when he watched Erry Hidayat compete in the 2017 SEA Games at home.

Although Erry missed out on a medal and finished fourth, Syahmi was impressed with the then 18-year-old’s performance, and wanted to emulate him.

He has, in fact, surpassed his hero’s debut.

Syahmi won silver in the men’s 94kg category in his first SEA Games.

The 21-year-old lifted 353kg to come second behind Thailand’s Sumpradit Sarat, who lifted 366kg at second at the Chonburi Sports School Gymnasium yesterday.

Vietnam’s Tran Xuan Dung claimed bronze after lifting 337kg.

Syahmi was overjoyed after equalling Erry’s achievement of silver in the 79kg category a day earlier.

“I’m very happy to win silver in my first SEA Games. This medal was unexpected as I’m still a rookie,” said Syahmi.

“It feels surreal to compete in the same Games as Erry. I watched him in the 2017 and he inspired me to become a weightlifter. I have learned a lot from him.”

Syahmi, who like Erry is from Kuala Lumpur, felt he made some mistakes in the snatch in the beginning but managed to control his nerves to lift 153kg.

The youngster also managed to lift 200kg in the clean and jerk which was a personal record.

“I made some mistakes in the snatch in the beginning as I was rushing a bit,” said Syahmi.

He is next aiming for gold in the Commonwealth Games next year in Glasgow.

“My next target is the Commonwealth Games. I want to upgrade my SEA Games medal there,” said Syahmi.

“Everyone definitely wants the gold and winning silver here has given me confidence.”

Meanwhile, Mohd Hafizuddin Roslin agonisingly missed out on a medal in the men’s 88kg category after lifting 340kg, just one kg shot of 341kg lifted by bronze winner Worrapot Nasuriwong of Thailand.

Indonesia’s Rahmat Erwin Abdullah took the gold with a lift of 362kg while Vietnam’s Nguyen Quoc Toan won silver with 361kg.