Squad return recharged

04/08/1998

THE national weightlifters returned from their 14-day stint in Moscow
yesterday, looking fitter and with heavier lifts in their personal books.
Even Che Azrol in the 105kg category, who is the least likely to win a
medal in next month's Commonwealth Games because of tough competition, has
improved.
"Che Azrol could only lift in the range of 152kg in the clean and jerk
before. But in Moscow, he lifted 160kg. There has also been an overall
improvement in the other seven lifters," said National Sports Council team
manager Abu Hanapah yesterday.
Abu, together with coaches Slava Lalikov, William Yeo and Hamidon Arbi,
were impressed with the lifters' progress at the Russian Weightlifting
Federation Training Centre, about 90km from Moscow.
"Initially, they were to train with the senior Russian squad. But they
were not available because they were preparing for the world championship
in in Sweden in November.
"So we trained with the juniors, who are just as good," said Abu.
Mohamed Hidayat, on whose shoulders rest the potential of at least two
golds in the 69kg category, lifted 170kg in the clean and jerk during the
stint.
Hidayat's national record of 160kg in the clean and jerk, recorded
during the Malaysian Open at the Mines Exhibition Hall, was 0.5kg less
than the Commonwealth record set by India's G. Vadivelu.
If he can lift 170 at the Games, the snatch and combined total golds are
assured.
"The stint also served a dual purpose because the athletes finally got
to know their Russian coach Lalikov. They are more confident with his
methods after the stint."
Lalikov, who is more of a physical education scientist, has a healing
touch.
"The coach can spot an injury before it gets worse because he knows the
trouble spots. One lifter had trouble with his wrists, but after Lalikov
attended to him, it healed almost immediately."
The lifters have resumed fulltime training at the NSC gymnasium where
the coaches will evaluate their starting lifts.
"We want to know the starting weight each lifter feels comfortable with.
This is crucial because if the starting weight is too heavy, the lifter
will not be able to progress to heavier weights comfortably.
The Games squad - 56kg: Matin Guntali, Rahman Ahmad; 62kg: Kamaruzaman
Jusan; 69kg: Mohamed Hidayat, Rosdi Ngah; 77kg: Rozlimand Haron; 85kg:
Edmond Yeo; 105kg: Che Azrol.
(END)