A big lift for the '98 Games

22/06/1998

JAYA '98 trainee Rahman Ahmad provided a preview of what weightlifting has
to offer during the Commonwealth Games in September.
Rahman rewrote two national records and equalled the Commonwealth record
in the 56kg category in the national championships at the Mines Exhibition
Hall yesterday.
At the end of the day, Rahman went up the podium to receive three gold
medals for his snatch, clean and jerk and the combined total.
In the snatch, Rahman lifted 107.5kg to smash the old record of 102.5
set by Roswadi Rashid. It also equalled the Commonwealth championship
record achieved by India's Thandava Muthu in Nauru.
In the combined total, he lifted 237.5kg to shatter Roswadi's national
record of 227.5.
His winning lift of 130kg in the snatch and jerk equalled Matin
Guntali's national record.
"Although Australia and India have good lifters in this category, I am
confident of winning a medal at the Commonwealth Games. Only the colour is
yet to be determined," said the 23-year-old Rahman, who hails from Rompin.
Rahman, who has been with Jaya '98 for three years, has been steadily
improving in the last six months.
During the weightlifting trials held in April, Rahman only managed
105kg. Yesterday, his effort was 2.5kg better.
"Rahman has improved after a few months of intensive training. At the
rate of his progress, he could increase it to 5kg and the prospect of him
winning a gold in the 56kg at the Games is good," said project manager Lt
Commander (r) Kamaruzaman Kadir.
The 56kg will be a new Games event. In Victoria in 1994, the weight was
59kg.
Rahman has made a smooth transition to the less heavy category.
Malaysian Weightlifting Federation president Datuk Wira Gan Boon Leong
said Malaysia are expected to win two gold and four other medals, with
Mohamed Hidayat Hamidon the best bet in the 69kg category.
Hidayat, the Commonwealth record holder, lifted 287.5kg at the
Commonwealth, Oceania and South Pacific championships in Nauru in March.
In the Jakarta Sea Games, Hidayat won gold in the 64kg but the category
will not be contested in the Commonwealth Games.
Matin Guntali, another hopeful, took the silver in the Victoria Games.
Twenty-seven countries, with a total number of 120 lifters, have
confirmed participation in weightlifing for the Commonwealth Games on Sept
16-19.
In Victoria, only 19 countries and 91 weightlifters took part.
Today, Mohamed Hidayat will try his hand in the 69kg category.
(END)