Azlan shows his two gold medals for the 65kg category. — Photo by Mohd Faisal Ahmad
KUCHING (Sept 26): A change in the weight category failed to deter Sarawak strong man Azlan Mos from setting new records at 2024 Para Malaysia Games (Para Sukma) powerlifting competition today.
The 33-year-old Sebuyau native provided more golden cheer for the Sarawak camp by not only bagging two gold medals but also smashing both men’s 65kg category meet and national records.
Azlan started with a lift of 150kg and increased it to 155kg for his second lift, then 160kg during his third lift at the Youth and Sports Department Sarawak multipurpose hall to collect his first gold.
He collected a second gold for his total lift of 305kg and made a brave attempt to lift 171kg to shatter the Para Games and national record of 170kg.
Akmal Danish of Perak took the silver medals for the best lift of 143kg and total lift of 425kg, while Syalqi Shikri of Perlis settled for the bronze medals with a best lift of 116kg and total lift of 333kg.
Fellow Sarawakian lifter Christal Vencent finished fifth in the field of 10 competitors with a best lift of 75kg and total lift of 219kg.
During his first Para Sukma in Perak in 2018, Azlan competed in the men’s 59kg category, where he also broke the meet record held by two-time paralympic champion Bonnie Bunyau Gustin.
“I am happy to win today and succeed in breaking the games and national records, which was actually my target for this Para Sukma.
“After this, l am hoping to compete in more competitions to improve my rankings,” he told reporters.
He has set his sights on competing well in the Powerlifting World Cup in Dubai, United Arab Emirates next year.
“I want to compete in the next Para Sukma and break more records.
“I would like dedicate my achievements to my mother, who is always praying for me back home, team members and coaches for the encouragement and motivation, as well as all those who turned up to give me moral support today,” added Azlan, who began representing Sarawak as a para tenpin bowler.
“I also did well in tenpin bowling where l won gold but decided to switch to powerlifting because it offered more opportunities for me to compete overseas,” he revealed.
In the women’s section, Melinda Tiong Zhing Zhing added two more gold medals to the Sarawak tally when she triumphed in the 61kg contest.
Tiong succeeded in lifting 62kg for the gold and bagged a second gold with a total lift of 183kg.
Aphiradi Singchang of Perak captured the silver medals with a best lift of 57kg and total lift of 168kg, while Nurul Rabiatul Adamwiyah Bakri delivered a bronze for Sarawak with a best lift of 46kg.
However, her total lift of 91kg meant she missed out on the bronze, which went to Eng Ling Li of Johor who managed 123kg.
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