KUALA LUMPUR: Weightlifter Erry Hidayat won a silver medal at the Commonwealth Championships in India today.
Competing in the newly introduced men’s under-79kg, Erry lifted 150kg in snatch and 183kg in the clean and jerk to total 333kg, just two kilogrammes behind gold medallist Arajaya Babu Valluri of India.
Arajaya totalled 335kg with 152kg in snatch and 183kg in clean and jerk, while his compatriot Bedabrat Bharkali got the bronze with a total of 326kg with 145kg in snatch and 181kg in the clean and jerk.
Malaysian Weightlifting Federation president Datuk Ayub Rahmat said Erry did well to close the gap with Arajaya.
“It’s a good improvement and a good fight (from Erry), he needs to have the determination to win at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games,” said Ayub.
On Tuesday, Aznil Bidin won the gold medal in the new men’s under-65kg after clearing 125kg in the snatch and 172kg in the clean and jerk for a 297kg total.
The International Weightlifting Federation revised the weight categories in June.
This is to complement the International Olympic Committee’s decision to include five women’s and five men’s bodyweight categories for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
