by Theleaders-Online | March 8, 2020 6:02 am
JOHOR BAHRU: The Weightlifting Championships in the Republic of Nauru in April, will determine whether national weightlifter Muhamad Aznil Bidin will be able to book a berth to the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo.
The Kedah-born athlete who is now ranked 28th in the world in the 61 kilogramme category, had just returned home after bagging a silver and two bronze medals in the same category in the International Solidarity Championships in Uzbekistan.
The Malaysian Weightlifting Federation (PABM) president Datuk Ayub Rahmat described it as a difficult route for the athlete considering the competition from other weightlifters in the world pursuing the slot.
“If he wins in Nauru, we expect Aznil to be ranked 16th to 17th . Other countries are also vying to qualify for the Olympics so he has to be in the top 10 in the world,” he said when contacted by Bernama here today.
In December, the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth gold medalist also ended a six-year wait to win a medal at the SEA Games with a bronze medal in the 61 kg category.
Meanwhile, Ayub, who is also Johor Weightlifting Association chairman, said the association is still awaiting the latest development from the Malaysia Games (SUKMA) secretariat to finalise the list of athletes competing in the 20th SUKMA in July.
“The list is ready but not yet finalised. We heard there is a new category, so we need to relook before the final line-up. We are still waiting for the official decision from SUKMA secretariat,” he added.
The 20th SUKMA is scheduled to be held in Johor from July 11 to 19.
— BERNAMA
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