[VIDEO] Aniq Kasdan Breaks National Records Only To Miss Out On Olympic Medal By 1KG
An amazing Olympics debut for the 22-year-old!
By May Vin Ang — 08 Aug 2024, 11:45 AM
National weightlifter Aniq Kasdan missed out on the podium by a mere 1kg and finished fourth in the men's under-61kg category at the Paris Olympics yesterday, 7 August
Aniq cleared 130kg in the snatch and 167kg in the clean and jerk, coming up to a total of 297kg, missing by a whisker to beat Hampton Morris of the US, who took home the bronze medal with a total lift of 298kg (126kg, 172kg).
Nonetheless, it was still a heroic effort by the 22-year-old from Segamat, Johor, who broke national records with his snatch of 130kg and total lift of 297kg.
The previous snatch record in the weight class was 129kg, which was set by Aznil Bidin at the 2023 World Championships in Riyadh, while the previous total lift record of 296kg was Aniq's own, set during the International Weightlifting Championship in Qatar last December.
China's Li Fabin defended his gold with a total lift of 310kg (143kg-167kg), while the silver went to Theerapong Silachai of Thailand with a total of 303kg (132kg-171kg).
Aniq tried to challenge for a silver medal by attempting to lift 174kg in the clean and jerk, but was unsuccessful in his second and third tries
"I don't feel great right now after losing by such a small margin," Aniq told Astro Arena after the event.
"If I managed to clear 174kg, it would have been a new personal best for me. It was something that I discussed with my coach and it was a gamble which would have won me the silver, but it was not meant to be today.
"But I am still proud as I gave it everything I had. If anything, this only makes me even more determined to be a champion in the future," he said.
Aniq's reaction to clearing his 130kg snatch, his personal best and a national record.
Image via Isabel Infantes/ReutersTeam manager Amirul Hamizan Ibrahim added that he was very satisfied with Aniq's performance
He said Aniq had only just switched up to the 61kg weight class a year ago after previously competing in the 55kg category, which is not in the Olympics.
"We just hope he will be more consistent in the future to challenge for medals in major games and championships," he told Bernama.
