National weightlifters aim to defend gold at 2026 Commonwealth Games

Malaysian weightlifter Mohamad Aniq Kasdan is determined to defend his gold medal at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland. Aniq, who sensationally won the nation's first gold medal in the 55kg category at the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games, is now targeting the same achievement in the 60kg category.

The 24-year-old athlete admits that preparations for this year's event have not been easy, facing various challenges in the last two months. However, he remains confident in his ability to deliver his best performance. "I promise to do better. I will try to keep the gold medal I won four years ago so that all my training efforts are not in vain," Aniq stated. "I admit that in the last month or two before the competition, there were many challenges to overcome. I promise to give my best performance and not waste the opportunity given to me."

The weightlifting events at the 2026 Commonwealth Games will take place at the SEC Armadillo from Sunday until July 30. Besides Aniq, two other national athletes are also considered medal contenders: Muhamad Aznil Bidin in the 65kg category and Syahmi Nor in the 88kg category. Muhammad Erry Hidayat, competing in the 79kg category, aims for a successful second appearance at the Commonwealth Games. "I want to give my best in my appearance at the 2026 Commonwealth Games. India is among the strongest opponents in this competition," he said. "I will follow all the strategies planned by the coach to win the gold medal," added Erry, who previously won silver at the event.

Meanwhile, Syahmi also harbors ambitions of contributing a gold medal to the national contingent. "I will try to give my best performance so that I can bring home a gold medal for Malaysia," he said. The national challenge also includes Muhammad Hafizuddin Roslin (88kg), Muhammad Farris Haikal (over 110kg), Irene Jane Henry (48kg), Nur Syazwani Radzi (63kg), and Siti Aqilah Farhana (over 86kg).