CDM says five- gold target still intact as contingent pick up pace

PETALING JAYA: Malaysia’s first two gold medals at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games have reignited the national contingent’s hopes of achieving their five-gold target.

Weightlifters Mohd Aznil Bidin and Mohd Aniq Kasdan delivered the breakthrough on Sunday, ending Malaysia’s wait for a first gold medal after three days of competition.

Chef de mission Datuk Awaluddin Abd Aziz believes the double success has provided a timely lift for the contingent and hopes it will inspire the remaining athletes with six days of competition still to come. “It’s certainly a huge relief and a big boost, not just for me as chef de mission but for the entire Malaysian contingent. Hopefully this momentum can continue, not only in weightlifting but also in the other sports where we are hoping to win medals,” said Awaluddin.

Aznil made history by becoming the first Malaysian athlete to win gold at three consecutive Commonwealth Games after setting a Games record with a total lift of 299kg in the men’s 65kg event. Aniq also rewrote the Games record after finishing with a total of 273kg to win the men’s 60kg gold.

There was more joy for Malaysia when Commonwealth Games debutant Irene Jane Henry claimed bronze in the women’s 48kg event with a total lift of 167kg. With two gold medals already secured, Awaluddin remains optimistic that Malaysia can still achieve their target of five golds.

He pointed out that several medal prospects have yet to begin their campaigns, while others remain in contention. Women’s world No. 1 Emma Firyana Saroji is still in action in the lawn bowls sectional play, while weightlifting has more medal events until Thursday. Track cycling will also get under way on Thursday, with Azizulhasni Awang leading Malaysia’s challenge at the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome.

“We still have a good chance of achieving the five-gold target. Weightlifting still has several events remaining, while lawn bowls and track cycling are also capable of contributing medals,” he said.

Earlier, world champion Bonnie Bunyau Gustin was unable to defend the powerlifting gold he won in Birmingham in 2022, settling for bronze after producing a best lift of 220kg for 153.5 points.

England’s Mark Swan won gold with a best lift of 222kg and 153.9 points, while Nigeria’s Roland Ezuruike claimed silver after lifting 185kg for the same 153.9 points.