Golden opportunity for national powerlifter at Gold Coast

KUALA LUMPUR: There is a good chance for national powerlifting athlete Jong Yee Khie to win the gold at the 2018 Commonwealth Games, as defending champion Abdul Azeez Ibrahim of Nigeria looks unlikely to take part in the Games to be held in Gold Coast, Australia next month, due to injury.

Yee Khie’s coach Jamil Adam said according to information he had obtained, Abdul Azeez who was still recovering from a shoulder injury, had also missed two important tournaments last year, namely the World Cup in Dubai and the World Championships in Mexico.

However, Jami l said the Sarawak- born Yee Khie, who had won a bronze medal in the 72kg- category four years ago in Glasgow, Scotland, should not take the matter lightly.

“The information I got from friends (coaches) there (in Nigeria) is that Abdul Azeez will probably not compete in the Commonwealth Games, but we cannot feel too comfortable, as this might be part of their strategy.”

Yee Khie said he was optimistic of making a better lift than he did in Glasgow.

The 29-year- old said his main challenge was not only Abdul Azeez, as there are other capable athletes also taking part.

However, he said he was confident of delivering a medal based on his performance in the past one year.

“Right now, I just want to think about my own preparation,” he said. — Bernama