KUALA LUMPUR – Will Edmund Yeo — the architect behind Aniq Kasdan’s near medal-winning performance at the Paris Olympics — continue to lead Malaysia’s national weightlifting team?
The Weightlifting Association of Malaysia is set to address this pivotal question at the upcoming Working Committee Meeting with the National Sports Council (NSC) next month.
Speaking to Scoop, Weightlifting Association of Malaysia president Datuk Ayub Rahmat revealed that a key agenda item will be the bid to retain Edmund, who has been coaching the national team on loan from the Sarawak State Sports Council.
Edmund’s loan agreement was set to end in August, and he is expected to return to Sarawak. However, Weightlifting Association of Malaysia is committed to retaining him.
Edmund has proven his expertise by guiding Aniq to a near medal at the Paris Olympics.
Aniq, competing in the world’s largest sports event for the first time, fell just one kilogram short of a bronze medal in the under 61kg category but set a new national record with a lift of 297kg.
“Our coaches are all excellent, but they are all on loan from Sarawak.
“We have requested the NSC to make Edmund a permanent coach with us, but the higher-ups have said that everything will be discussed further at the upcoming Working Committee Meeting.
“In my opinion, the NSC should be flexible, as we have been making this request since March. Edmund has already proven his capabilities by guiding Aniq to a fourth-place finish at the Olympics,” said Ayub.
Ayub also hinted at plans to recruit an additional coach focused on development and talent scouting for the national weightlifting team, with former national coach Yon Haryono being considered for this role.
Recognising the potential for weightlifting to contribute significantly to Malaysia’s success at the Olympics, especially for Los Angeles 2028, Ayub stressed the need for a broader talent pool beyond just Aniq.
Unlike the Sea Games and Asian Games, which feature up to 20 weightlifting categories, the Olympics include only ten categories — five for men and five for women.
As such, Ayub is focusing on Malaysia’s best prospects in the 61kg and possibly the 73kg categories, as these weights are ideal for Asians and typically face less competition from European, Middle Eastern, or American athletes, who usually compete in heavier categories.
“If we are to hire a new coach, that coach will focus on development. I plan to bring back Yon Haryono, the Johor weightlifting coach who was previously with us.
“He was the one who identified Aniq when he was just 14 years old.
“To find the next Aniq, we want Yon to travel across Malaysia to scout for new talent. This process requires adhering to specific criteria, such as height and weight,” he added. – September 2, 2024