KUALA LUMPUR: National weightlifter Aznil Bidin secured early qualification to next year’s Glasgow Commonwealth Games after winning gold at the Commonwealth Championships in India today (Aug 26).
Competing in the new men’s under-65kg for the first time since it was introduced in June, Aznil held his nerve to clear 125kg in the snatch and 172kg in the clean and jerk to claim gold on a 297kg total.
India’s Raja Muthupandi (128kg, 168kg) came in second on 296kg while Papua New Guinea’s Morea Baru (127kg, 165kg) came in third on 292kg.
The overall winner in each weight class secures automatic qualification to the Commonwealth Games next year.
It was also Malaysia’s first gold at this edition of the Commonwealth Championships.
Aznil had previously competed in the under-67kg class which has now been abolished.
His teammate Aniq Kasdan, who is carrying a shoulder injury, finished third overall in the new men’s under-61kg class yesterday.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
