Weighty matter

Azroy fears slip-up in event he’s fancied to win

WEIGHTLIFTER Mohd Azroy Hazalwafie Izhar Ahmad (pic) fears he may be his worst enemy in his bid to win Malaysia’s first gold in Gold Coast.

Azroy, who turned 24 yesterday, knows that it takes only one slipup to ruin his chances in both the snatch and clean and jerk on the opening day of the weightlifting competition at the Carrara Sports and Leisure Centre today.

He is the favourite after winning gold in the Commonwealth Championships in Gold Coast last September with a total of 253kg.

To overcome the pressure, Azroy has been doing three things since arriving at the Games on Saturday.

He has been calling his mother Rohana Ahmad in Rompin for blessing, praying to God for courage, strength and confidence and listening to sentimental music to relax his mind.

Azroy said there was pressure to deliver the first gold medal for Malaysia.

“I’m the favourite but there is fear within me that I’ll slip up.

“My mother has been supportive and it’s nice to listen to her encouraging words. She is my No. 1 fan,” said Azroy, who is the second among eight siblings.

“Praying five times a day also makes me stronger. I enjoy sentimental songs as they calm my nerves. I’m ready for the action. I hope to make my country proud,” said Azroy.

Azroy’s challengers are Chaturanga Lakmal of Sri Lanka and India’s Guru Raja Poojary, who finished second and third behind Azroy at the last year’s Commonwealth meet.

Azroy hopes to better his personal best of 258kg by lifting 261kg.

Besides Azroy, weightlifter Mohd Aznil Bidin will also feature in the men’s 62kg category today.

Weightlifting has never failed to contribute at least one gold in every Commonwealth Games since Muhd Hidayat Hamidon brought cheers to Malaysia by winning the men’s 69kg clean and jerk in Kuala Lumpur in 1998.