Faith in local coaches pays off big time as Malaysia win big

Men behind the scene: (From left) Coach Edmund Yeo, team manager Amirul Hamizan Ibrahim, OCM deputy president Datuk Nur Azmi Ahmad, MWF president Datuk Ayub Rahmat and coach Mohd Norshah Rizal Ruslan.

PETALING JAYA: Much of Malaysia’s success in winning five gold medals and a bronze in weightlifting at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games can be credited to local coaches Edmund Yeo and Mohd Norshah Rizal Ruslan.

Malaysian Weightlifting Federation (MWF) president Datuk Ayub Rahmat said the team’s outstanding showing had justified the federation’s decision to put their faith in home-grown coaches.

Edmund was appointed as the national team’s full-time coach last year after previously serving with the Sarawak Weightlifting Association, where he was regularly called up to assist the national squad.

He also coached Aniq Kasdan at the 2024 Paris Olympics, where the lifter came agonisingly close to winning Malaysia’s first Olympic medal in the sport.

Norshah also joined the national set-up last year, taking charge of the development squad.

The faith shown in the local coaches was rewarded in Glasgow.

Experienced campaigners Aniq Kasdan, Aznil Bidin and Erry Hidayat all struck gold, while Commonwealth Games debutants Hafizuddin Roslin and Syahmi Nor Ghazali also emerged champions. Irene Jane Henry completed the team’s medal haul with bronze – a first in women competition in 16 years.

“I have always believed in our local coaches. They have the knowledge, experience and commitment to succeed,” said Ayub.

“Give them the opportunity and they will prove they are capable of taking Malaysian weightlifting to greater heights.

“What we achieved in Glasgow shows what is possible when local coaches are given the trust, backed by strong leadership and supported by a good system. We have shown that Malaysia can produce world-class weightlifters capable of competing with the best.”

Ayub also acknowledged the contribution of team manager Amirul Hamizan Ibrahim, who played a key role in overseeing the team’s preparations and ensuring everything ran smoothly throughout the Games.

Amirul knows what it takes to succeed on the Commonwealth stage, having won three gold medals in Manchester in 2002 before adding another in New Delhi in 2010.

“We don’t know when another opportunity like this will come around.

“This was our best chance, and thankfully our coaches and athletes delivered,” he added.