National weightlifters can surprise at November Sea Games - Coach

KUALA LUMPUR, July 5  (Bernama) --  At least one silver is expected, but national weightlifting coach Wang Zhi Quan is hoping his charges can spring a surprise and bring more glory to Malaysia in the November SEA Games in the Philippines - provided they go the extra mile in training. 

For starters, Wang, who is from China, is confident that two of his weightlifters Muhammad Azroy Hazalwafie Izhar Ahmad and Muhammad Aznil Bidin have the potential to win at least a silver medal. 

Then there are the others under his watch as well, such as Muhammad Erry Hidayat, who is the son of former Commonwealth gold medalist Hidayat Hamidon, Nurul Atikah Mahamad Sabri, and Mohd Yusoff Nandong.

“At least one silver medal, (but) the athletes need to train harder. However, I am confident both of them can deliver a medal. The others (weightlifters) can also win medals,” he told reporters at the National Sports Council in Bukit Jalil here today.

For the record,  Malaysia won a silver and a bronze respectively at the 2017 Kuala Lumpur SEA Games.

In addition, Wang said he has made some changes to the old training approach, which he said had been in use for quite some time. 

His charges seem to be receptive of the new training methods, and this includes Muhammad Aznil, who has been showing positive development.

Besides focusing on the SEA Games preparations, Wang wants to ensure his athletes are also prepared for other competitions that will be offering qualification points for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. 

Muhammad Aznil and Muhammad Erry will be participating in the Commonwealth Weightlifting Championships in Samoa from July 9 to 14, and 2019 World Weightlifting Championships in Pattaya, Thailand from Sept 16 to 25.

-- BERNAMA