Size does not matter

13/10/1998

THE Malaysian Weightlifting Federation (MWF) are keen to send only three
lifters for the Asian Games in Bangkok as they have an outside chance of
winning medals.
The trio are Matin Guntali, Mohamed Hidayat and Abdul Rahman.
While Matin and Hidayat have proven themselves with medals at the Kuala
Lumpur Commonwealth Games, Rahman has a good ranking in the world.
"We would need to study the rankings first before making a decision on
the weightlifters for Bangkok because the competitors from Japan, China
and South Korea would be tough to beat at Asian level. So a big contingent
would not serve any purpose," said MWF secretary Lt Com Kamaruzaman Kadir.
Based on the world rankings, Hidayat (69kg category) and Rahman (56kg)
are ranked fourth in the world after their lifts at the KL Games.
Matin, who won three bronze medals at the Commonwealth Games, is ranked
sixth in the 56kg category but the seasoned campaigner has a knack of
delivering when it matters.
"On paper, we have an outside chance of winning medals but right now,
the decision is in the hands of the Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM).
"Matin and Hidayat should have no problems gaining favours with the OCM
but Rahman would need a little help to make the trip to Bangkok.
"The MWF will try to push his case because he is a capable athlete and
it would be better to have two entries in the 56kg for a tactical lift."
Malaysia have never won weightlifting medals at Asian Games level and
judging from current national records, Bangkok might be the place to break
the duck.
Right now, national coach Slava Lelikov has given the national
weightlifters a training programme to follow after their well-earned rest.
"Hidayat is vacationing in Medan while the rest have gone back to their
hometowns.
"They were told to strictly adhere to the programme for the Asian Games
because when they resume centralised training next month, the coach will
only have time to perfect their skills."
Slava has returned to Russia for a holiday and is expected to return to
sign a new contract with the National Sports Council (NSC), who are keen
to rehire him based on his scientific coaching approach.
"If he is not available, we will look for someone else from East Europe
so that there would be continuity in the training programme.
"Although China have good coaches, their programme would differ with
what the weightlifters have learnt and it would not be conducive for the
Asian Games," said NSC director-general Datuk Mazlan Ahmad.
(END)