MOHAMMAD ANIQ AIMS FOR 305KG LIFT IN PARIS 

SEPANG, July 20 (Bernama) -- National weightlifter Mohammad Aniq Kasdan aims to achieve a 305-kilogramme (kg) lift in the 61kg category to secure a medal at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, which will commence on July 26.

The 24-year-old, making his Olympic debut, said he has already managed to lift 302kg and just needs a few final touches to realise his dream (of lifting 305 kg).

However, he acknowledged facing stiff competition from challengers from Thailand and the United States (US) in his quest to reach the podium at his weightlifting event on Aug 7 at South Paris Arena.

"Thailand and the US are indeed among the main challengers, and they are younger than me. The majority of those going to the Olympics are from Southeast Asia, so I often meet them and know they are tough competitors.

"I qualified for the Olympics with a total lift of 296kg, and some have lifted 299kg and 300kg, so the difference is just two to four kg. So the day of the competition will be crucial in determining who can prevail," he told reporters at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) today.

Mohammad Aniq was leaving for Antalya, Turkey, for his final training camp before competing in the prestigious games in Paris. He is accomapnied by his coach Edmund Yeo.

He said that the final dash in Turkey is crucial for him to acclimatise to the climate.

"The preparations in Turkey are more about adjusting to the weather and other factors since it is closer to Paris. I also don't want any disruptions to my rhythm (jet lag)," he said.

Mohammad Aniq is scheduled to be in Antalya for a two-week training camp to get used to the time and weather differences in Europe before arriving in Paris on Aug 3 for official training at the competition venue.

Malaysia have never won an Olympic medal in weightlifting, and the last national lifter to compete on the Olympic stage was Mohd Hafifi Mansor at the Rio 2016 edition in the 69kg category.

-- BERNAMA