17/11/1998
HIDAYAT Hamidon was expected to win the snatch gold at the Kuala Lumpur
Commonwealth Games but instead surprised all with a gold in the clean and
jerk, and a silver in the combined total.
At the Asian Games in Bangkok, Hidayat will again be banking on the
element of surprise when he lifts in the 69kg category.
But Hidayat, with his hallmark confident smile, will have to dig deep
into his reserves to even win a bronze.
"It would be great to win a medal in Bangkok because since Malaysia made
a debut at the 1954 Games until the 1994 Hiroshima Games, weightlifting
has only won one bronze medal," said Hidayat.
"And that was 40 years ago in Tokyo. It would be a feather in my cap to
lift a medal.
"For this I have put some extra hours in training."
The 22-year-old Hidayat is working harder than usual under Russian coach
Slava Lelikov. For a start, he has been put back on a strict diet
programme by Lelikov to shed the extra pounds gained during the break
after the KL Games.
"I visited visit my family in Indonesia during the break and ate a
little more than usual. But under the diet programme, it won't be long
before I'm back to my ideal weight."
Hidayat and Matin Guntali, who won three bronze medals at September's
Commonwealth Games, are the two weightlifters picked by the Olympic
Council of Malaysia (OCM) for Bangkok.
Hidayat will lift in the 69kg category and Matin in the 56kg.
At the recent World Championships at Lahti, Finland, China's Wan Jianhui
broke the International Weightlifting Federation's (IWF) standard by 0.5kg
with a snatch of 158kg in the 69kg.
Plamen Jeliazkov of Bulgaria went up to lift a world record of 160kg.
At the Asian Games, Hidayat will battle against lifters from China,
Korea, Japan, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan.
"I will not put myself under any undue pressure and will lift for the
pure joy of lifting.
"Matin and I are in the right frame of mind and will treat the Asiad
with the same determination and spirit as the Commonwealth Games.
"Medals or not, we will surely try to crack national records."
(END)
Monday, January 29, 2007
`Flying Dayak' Watson loses in trials
27/11/1998
OMAN long jumper Ahmad Hudewib Al-Moamari beat Watson Nyambek to the 100m
tape at the National Sports Council track in Bukit Jalil yestarday but
Malaysia AAU president Datuk Khalid Yunus saw a silver lining in the race.
"It is good that he lost to the Oman runner because it would only spur
him on to do better," said Khalid after the track and field trials which
involved Oman, Kuwait and Malaysia.
"If he runs with the local boys, it is a known fact that he will win and
there is no challenge for him to clock better."
Ahmad clocked a hand-timed 10.3 while Watson and the rest of the field
did 10.4.
Women sprinter G. Shanti did not have any decent opposition so S. Vasu
was roped in as a pacer in the 100m run.
Shanti clocked 11.4 and looked capable of dipping lower if she did not
slow down in the final 10 metres.
Also at the trials were high jumper Loo Kum Zee and walker Yuan Yufang.
Loo did 2.15m while Yufang clocked 13.05 in the 3km warmup.
The Oman and Kuwait runners have been in Malaysia for close to two
months now as they are preparing for the Asian Games challenge in Bangkok.
* ATHLETES bound for the Asian Games will undergo drug tests before
leaving for Bangkok.
Deputy Sports Minister Datuk Loke Yuen Yow, who visited the sepak takraw
players and the gynnasts at the training camp in Bukit Jalil, said:
"Drug testing is actually carried out from time to time, especially
before a championship begins."
Meanwhile, Bangkok-bound Malaysian athletes for next month's Asian Games
were told to give priority to national interests and leave the question of
monetary rewards to the Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) and National
Sports Council (NSC).
Dr Zakaria Ahmad, Malaysia's chef-de-mission for the games, said they
must strive to give their best to make the country proud and to make a
name for themselves in the games whose standard is higher than the
Commonwealth Games.
He said it could not be denied that there were athletes in the past who
were more concerned about the rewards than giving their best in sports
tournaments. (END)
OMAN long jumper Ahmad Hudewib Al-Moamari beat Watson Nyambek to the 100m
tape at the National Sports Council track in Bukit Jalil yestarday but
Malaysia AAU president Datuk Khalid Yunus saw a silver lining in the race.
"It is good that he lost to the Oman runner because it would only spur
him on to do better," said Khalid after the track and field trials which
involved Oman, Kuwait and Malaysia.
"If he runs with the local boys, it is a known fact that he will win and
there is no challenge for him to clock better."
Ahmad clocked a hand-timed 10.3 while Watson and the rest of the field
did 10.4.
Women sprinter G. Shanti did not have any decent opposition so S. Vasu
was roped in as a pacer in the 100m run.
Shanti clocked 11.4 and looked capable of dipping lower if she did not
slow down in the final 10 metres.
Also at the trials were high jumper Loo Kum Zee and walker Yuan Yufang.
Loo did 2.15m while Yufang clocked 13.05 in the 3km warmup.
The Oman and Kuwait runners have been in Malaysia for close to two
months now as they are preparing for the Asian Games challenge in Bangkok.
* ATHLETES bound for the Asian Games will undergo drug tests before
leaving for Bangkok.
Deputy Sports Minister Datuk Loke Yuen Yow, who visited the sepak takraw
players and the gynnasts at the training camp in Bukit Jalil, said:
"Drug testing is actually carried out from time to time, especially
before a championship begins."
Meanwhile, Bangkok-bound Malaysian athletes for next month's Asian Games
were told to give priority to national interests and leave the question of
monetary rewards to the Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) and National
Sports Council (NSC).
Dr Zakaria Ahmad, Malaysia's chef-de-mission for the games, said they
must strive to give their best to make the country proud and to make a
name for themselves in the games whose standard is higher than the
Commonwealth Games.
He said it could not be denied that there were athletes in the past who
were more concerned about the rewards than giving their best in sports
tournaments. (END)
Matin should stay home, says Koh
27/11/1998
MATIN Guntali revived weightlifting in Malaysia when he lifted a silver
medal at the 1994 Victoria Commonwealth Games and then went on to win
three bronze medals at the Kuala Lumpur version of the Games in September.
Matin has been selected for the Bangkok Asian Games with Hidayat Hamidon
but he should have declined selection, said Malaysia's first Commonwealth
gold medallist Koh Eng Tong.
"I planned to retire after the KL Games but when the Olympic Council of
Malaysia (OCM) selected me for the Asian Games, I accepted it as a
personal challenge. Now I feel good for another two Commonwealth Games,"
said Matin, 34.
With the inclusion of Matin, up-and-coming Rahman Ahmad was sidelined.
"Matin is a good lifter but age is not on his side," said Koh.
"I know for a fact that at 34, weightlifters tend to lose their touch
and even though the mind is willing, the body loses its strength. He will
find it harder to add the kilos on the barbell.
"Matin should have declined and allowed Rahman to compete at the Asian
Games and even if Rahman does not win any medals, he will gain the much
needed exposure."
Rahman, 23, still holds the national record of 107kg in the 54kg snatch
while Matin holds the clean and jerk record of 135kg which he lifted at
the KL Games.
Although it is too late to rally for Rahman for the Asian Games, Koh
said the selectors could learn from this.
"They should not rely on ageing stars because by doing so they are
neglecting the youth who will lead Malaysia into the next century," said
Koh.
"The National Sports Council (NSC) must start preparing young athletes
for the 2002 Olympics and the 2006 Asian Games which Malaysia hope to
host."
But Coach William Yeo feels that Matin is good for another 10 years of
active competition.
"He might not return from the Asian Games with a medal, but he is surely
good for another two commonwealth Games. Watch him at Manchester, he will
be at his best then," said Yeo.
(END)
MATIN Guntali revived weightlifting in Malaysia when he lifted a silver
medal at the 1994 Victoria Commonwealth Games and then went on to win
three bronze medals at the Kuala Lumpur version of the Games in September.
Matin has been selected for the Bangkok Asian Games with Hidayat Hamidon
but he should have declined selection, said Malaysia's first Commonwealth
gold medallist Koh Eng Tong.
"I planned to retire after the KL Games but when the Olympic Council of
Malaysia (OCM) selected me for the Asian Games, I accepted it as a
personal challenge. Now I feel good for another two Commonwealth Games,"
said Matin, 34.
With the inclusion of Matin, up-and-coming Rahman Ahmad was sidelined.
"Matin is a good lifter but age is not on his side," said Koh.
"I know for a fact that at 34, weightlifters tend to lose their touch
and even though the mind is willing, the body loses its strength. He will
find it harder to add the kilos on the barbell.
"Matin should have declined and allowed Rahman to compete at the Asian
Games and even if Rahman does not win any medals, he will gain the much
needed exposure."
Rahman, 23, still holds the national record of 107kg in the 54kg snatch
while Matin holds the clean and jerk record of 135kg which he lifted at
the KL Games.
Although it is too late to rally for Rahman for the Asian Games, Koh
said the selectors could learn from this.
"They should not rely on ageing stars because by doing so they are
neglecting the youth who will lead Malaysia into the next century," said
Koh.
"The National Sports Council (NSC) must start preparing young athletes
for the 2002 Olympics and the 2006 Asian Games which Malaysia hope to
host."
But Coach William Yeo feels that Matin is good for another 10 years of
active competition.
"He might not return from the Asian Games with a medal, but he is surely
good for another two commonwealth Games. Watch him at Manchester, he will
be at his best then," said Yeo.
(END)
Nurul Huda, Saravanan named year's Olympians
28/11/1998
NATIONAL shooter Nurul Huda Baharin and walker G. Saravanan won the 1998
Olympian Award yesterday for their sterling performances at the Kuala
Lumpur Commonwealth Games in September.
Nurul and Saravanan received RM10,000 and a medal each from Yang Di-
Pertuan Agong Tuanku Ja'afar Tuanku Abdul Rahman in Kuala Lumpur.
The award was a timely boost as the duo will be representing the country
at the Asian Games in Bangkok next month.
Nurul, 24, won the individual air rifle gold despite wearing a cast on
her arm. A few weeks before the KL Games, she broke her arm in a
motorcycle accident.
Her grit and determination won Malaysia's first and only shooting gold
medal. Her 493.3 points is a new Commonwealth Games record.
Nurul, of Kedah, took up competitive shooting in 1995 and caught the
nation's attention when she won golds in the individual sport rifle three
position and team event at the Jakarta Sea Games last year.
She proved her worth again winning three gold medals at the Langkawi
Commonwealth Shooting Championship last year.
Nurul also received the SAM-Benson and Hedges '97 award and the '97
National Sports Award together with teammate Roslina Bakar.
While Nurul was a clear winner among nominees Thye Chee Kiat, Carolyn Au
Yong, El Regina Tajuddin and Sarina Sundarajah of rhythmic gynastics,
Saravanan faced a tough challenge for the award.
He edged bowler Kenny Ang who won two gold medals; weightlifter Hidayat
Hamidon who won a gold and a silver; and champion boxer Sapok Biki for the
award.
Saravanan, from Penang, came out tops with his 4:10.5 effort to win the
gruelling 50km walks.
Meanwhile, the 1998 IOC Trophy for Sports Ethics was awarded to the
Ministry of Education for their sports and physical education programmes.
(END)
NATIONAL shooter Nurul Huda Baharin and walker G. Saravanan won the 1998
Olympian Award yesterday for their sterling performances at the Kuala
Lumpur Commonwealth Games in September.
Nurul and Saravanan received RM10,000 and a medal each from Yang Di-
Pertuan Agong Tuanku Ja'afar Tuanku Abdul Rahman in Kuala Lumpur.
The award was a timely boost as the duo will be representing the country
at the Asian Games in Bangkok next month.
Nurul, 24, won the individual air rifle gold despite wearing a cast on
her arm. A few weeks before the KL Games, she broke her arm in a
motorcycle accident.
Her grit and determination won Malaysia's first and only shooting gold
medal. Her 493.3 points is a new Commonwealth Games record.
Nurul, of Kedah, took up competitive shooting in 1995 and caught the
nation's attention when she won golds in the individual sport rifle three
position and team event at the Jakarta Sea Games last year.
She proved her worth again winning three gold medals at the Langkawi
Commonwealth Shooting Championship last year.
Nurul also received the SAM-Benson and Hedges '97 award and the '97
National Sports Award together with teammate Roslina Bakar.
While Nurul was a clear winner among nominees Thye Chee Kiat, Carolyn Au
Yong, El Regina Tajuddin and Sarina Sundarajah of rhythmic gynastics,
Saravanan faced a tough challenge for the award.
He edged bowler Kenny Ang who won two gold medals; weightlifter Hidayat
Hamidon who won a gold and a silver; and champion boxer Sapok Biki for the
award.
Saravanan, from Penang, came out tops with his 4:10.5 effort to win the
gruelling 50km walks.
Meanwhile, the 1998 IOC Trophy for Sports Ethics was awarded to the
Ministry of Education for their sports and physical education programmes.
(END)
Nurul confident of gold
29/11/1998
NURUL Huda Bharin's arm is still giving her problems but the Kedah-born
shooter is confident of pulling off an upset at the Asian Games.
She is still undergoing physiotherapy for her arm which was broken a
week before the Kuala Lumpur Commonwealth Games. The broken arm didn't
prevent her from winning the air rifle gold.
Nurul is back in training and is shooting practice rounds of 493. She
had shot a record 493.3 for her Commonwealth gold.
"I feel good. As for the rest of the field, I don't know how good they
are," said the policewoman after receiving the Olympian of The Year Award
on Friday.
"But this is how I like it. The less I know about the rest, the more
confident I will be when the time comes to shoot."
The other shooters for Bangkok are Emran Zakaria, Abdul Mutalib, Aziz
Brahim, Roslina Bakar and Sarihati Awang.
(END)
NURUL Huda Bharin's arm is still giving her problems but the Kedah-born
shooter is confident of pulling off an upset at the Asian Games.
She is still undergoing physiotherapy for her arm which was broken a
week before the Kuala Lumpur Commonwealth Games. The broken arm didn't
prevent her from winning the air rifle gold.
Nurul is back in training and is shooting practice rounds of 493. She
had shot a record 493.3 for her Commonwealth gold.
"I feel good. As for the rest of the field, I don't know how good they
are," said the policewoman after receiving the Olympian of The Year Award
on Friday.
"But this is how I like it. The less I know about the rest, the more
confident I will be when the time comes to shoot."
The other shooters for Bangkok are Emran Zakaria, Abdul Mutalib, Aziz
Brahim, Roslina Bakar and Sarihati Awang.
(END)
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