Ability to survive ordeal puts Aniq in right path for success at Asiad

No pain, no gain: Aniq Kasdan pumping his fists after his golden lift. — AP

PETALING JAYA: National weightlifter Aniq Kasdan’s mind was filled with doubt just before his event at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games, but those fears quickly disappeared after his opening lift.

The 24-year-old endured an anxious build-up after cramping in both legs during the warm-up, leaving him fearing the worst ahead of his attempt to defend his gold medal in the 60kg category.

But Aniq said the anxiety disappeared after his first attempt at the Scottish Event Campus (SEC) and he knew it was going to be his day to win gold, and he did just that.

“I was cramping in both legs during warm-up, and I started to think that this could be the day I fail,” said Aniq.

“But everything changed after my first attempt, I knew it was going to be my day.”

Aniq went on to clinch gold and set a new Games record of 273kg with a 121kg lift in the snatch and 152kg in the clean and jerk.

He finished ahead of India’s Rishikanta Singh Chanambam who lifted 264kg, while Kenya’s Joshua Amunga Mboya took third with 260kg.

“I didn’t expect to get the record as my target was gold and I wanted to defend it,” said Aniq.

“It’s motivation for me to keep going. I have to thank everyone for all their support, especially my family because without them I wouldn’t be able to do all this.”

It had not been an easy road to a second Commonwealth gold for Aniq as he had been dealing with injuries in the months leading up, but this win has given him a major boost in confidence for bigger tournaments ahead.

“This win is a big step in the right direction for the Asian Games, and after that, qualifying for the Olympics,” he added.

Aniq’s first Commonwealth gold came at the 2022 edition in Birmingham, where he set a Games record of 249kg in the 55kg category.