Lelikov to do like Nalbandian

26/06/1998

THE late Armenak Nalbandian had a close rapport with all six members of
the weightlifting squad preparing for the Commonwealth Games and his
replacement Slava Lelikov has been careful to continue with the good work.
Nalbandian, who passed away in April, had meticulously prepared the
training for the six lifters till the pre-Games at the Mines Exhibition
Hall last week where nine national records were shattered.
It is also to Nalbandian's credit that Abdul Rahman Ahmad, who had to
battle a shoulder injury the past nine months which forced him out of
March's Commonwealth Championships in Nauru, rewrote a national record
twice and placed himself as a candidate for a medal in September.
Rahman first set a national mark in the snatch event when he lifted
107.5kg to throw out Terengganu's Roswadi Rashid's old mark of 102.5. That
new mark also equalled India's Thandava Muthu's Commonwealth Championship
record.
He then lifted 237.5kg to smash the old national record of 227.5kg set
by Roswadi.
A former Russian national coach, Nalbandian who arrived in Malaysia in
December 1996 was also responsible for Hidayat's record-breaking 172.5kg
in the clean and jerk and 300kg overall at the Pahang Open last July.
Weightlifting team manager Abu Hanapiah Ismail said Lelikov, who is also
a Russian, had continued with Nalbandian's programme till the pre-Games
and will now come up with his own programme for the Games proper.
Abu Hanapiah believes the 50-year-old Lelikov's plans will help the
lifters do well at the Commonwealth Games.
"We are not really concerned with the technical aspects as the Russians
have more or less the same technique."
According to Hanapiah, Lelikov is more of a scientist: "He is very
systematic and we are very happy with his presence. His presence will
boost the lifters' morale after the sudden demise of Nalbandian."
The Games competition will be held at the Mines Exhibition Hall, and
judging by the preparations during the Pre-Games, the volunteers are ready
for the big event.
About 100 volunteers, who are veterans in handling weightlifting,
underwent the Nadi '98 sessions and emerged more confident.
(END)