SEPANG: Aniq Kasdan may have missed the Paris podium, but he believes that Malaysian weightlifters are ready to step up and win a gold medal at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
Olympic debutant Aniq finished fourth in the men's under-61kg event in
Paris after setting a new national record of 130kg in the snatch and 167kg in the clean and jerk on Thursday. He was just one kilogramme short of bronze medallist Hampton Morris of the United States.
The promising 22-year-old Aniq, who won gold at the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games, is also a two-time medallist in the clean and jerk at the World Championships (2021, 2023).
Aniq said his performance in Paris is proof that hard work can deliver results. "No one expected a Malaysian weightlifter to compete for medals at the Olympics. We all worked hard toward it. But I'm sad that we couldn't win a medal, missing out by only one kilogramme," said Aniq after arriving at KLIA today.
"I didn't win a medal but I can see there's a change in perception of the sport. Weightlifting is now seen as a sport where Malaysia could challenge for medals at the Olympics.
"I hope development programmes will continue for weightlifting, so we can have more athletes.
"We do have the talent in Malaysia, it's just that we need to work hard and have the ambition to excel at a high level.
"I hope more people take up this sport as we have proven that we can be competitive at the highest level. If we get more support, I'm sure we can have more weightlifters qualifying for the 2028 LA Olympics, and with better training and preparation, we could win a gold medal for Malaysia.
"I aim to improve my lifts. I want to win at the World Championships, and I want other countries to see Malaysia as a serious contender. In four years' time, I want to be at the Olympics again," he said.
The Segamat-born Aniq said he will next shift his focus to the Commonwealth Championships in Suva, Fiji, from Sept 17-21.
He added that the support from the Road to Gold programme, National Sports Council and National Sports Institute have been a boost for him.