KUALA LUMPUR – National weightlifter Mohamad Aniq Kasdan put on a sensational performance to win bronze at the World Championships in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia yesterday.
He lifted 166kg on his second attempt in the clean and jerk in the men’s 61kg to ensure that he did not return home empty-handed.
This is the 21-year-old’s second trip to the podium at the World Championships after doing so in 2021, earning a silver medal, when the tournament was hosted in Uzbekistan.
In an Instagram post, the 2022 Commonwealth gold medalist said he was grateful that he could bring home his second World Championships medal and appreciated the support of his family and the Weightlifting Association of Malaysia, the National Sports Council, and the National Sports Institute.
He also hopes that his achievement could boost his spirit to further improve his performance in the future.
Meanwhile, American Hampton Morris won gold with his best lift of 168kg while Li Fabin from China took home silver (167kg).
The championships also serve as a qualifier for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
Aniq is ninth on the rankings with an overall lift total of 291kg, which is the new national record.
He had lifted 125kg in the snatch category.
Every national weightlifting athlete only has to take part in the three remaining qualifying tournaments to be in the top 10 for the Paris Games.
Only the 10 best in each weight class with only one representative from each nation will qualify automatically for the Olympics next year. – September 7, 2023