Tiny Aizat walks tall
Terengganu’s A TINY man from tiny Perlis gave his contingent a huge boost yesterday, lifting double his bodyweight to deliver Malaysia Games gold.
And right after winning Perlis’ first Games gold medal, 1.44m tall Aizat Ahmad Nazim declared it to be the proudest moment of his life.
“I’m 21-years-old and this is my first ever gold medal!” he declared loudly.
He won the clean and jerk gold in the 50kg category which is being contested for the first time in the Malaysia Games. Previously, it was a 52kg event, which meant he set a Games record.
(centre) celebrates his individual time trial gold with teammates yesterday.
The 50kg snatch gold was won by Penang’s Harith Lutfie by lifting 97kgs.
Surprisingly, the snatch is Aizat’s pet event and he trained for the last 45 days in Indonesia to win the gold, but fared miserably as he ended up tied with three athletes on 97kgs. Body weight saw Penang win gold, Pahang silver and Aizat the bronze.
“I was really devastated as I am not good in the clean and jerk and was almost in tears. But my coach told me to go for broke and when I was tied with Penang’s Harith by lifting 100kgs, and he lifted 116kgs, I knew it was now or never.
“My coach upped the weight to 117, seven kilos at once and I was a little worried as it was too high a jump.
“Surprisingly, the strategy worked and I managed to carry double my weight to hand my contingent our first gold medal in an event which I never liked, or trained much for,” said Aizat.
Aizat only weighs 49.7kg but his big heart saw him set several firsts at the UITM hall in Kuching yesterday. And what next?
“Hopefully, people can see me now even though I’m below eye level for many people,” he joked. “Seriously, I hope I’m included in the training squad for next year’s Sea Games.”
The Malaysia Games does not offer medals for combined totals. Weightlifting has 32 gold medals at stake in Kuching. en route to gold in the 50kg clean and jerk event.