KUCHING: Sarawakian Powerlifter, Azlan Mos continues to bring pride to the state after clinching a gold medal in the 65-kilogramme (kg) event with his best lift at the Para Malaysia Games (Para SUKMA) 2024 on Thursday.
 
In an even more impressive feat, his lift of 171 kg broke the previous record set by Malaysia's renowned lifter, Bonnie Bunyau Gustin whose 170 kg lift was recorded during Para SUKMA 2018 in Perak.
 
With a total lift of 465 kg, Azlan successfully secured two gold medals for the Sarawak contingent.
 
Speaking after the medal presentation ceremony, the athlete from Sebuyau expressed his joy at winning gold for Sarawak.
 
Dedicating his victory to his mother, Azlan shared that he hopes this win can help support her and his family, especially as she works as a small-scale farmer.
 
"Thank you to my mother for always supporting me, even though I'm rarely in the village (in Sebuyau), and always praying for me from afar.
 
"Also, a huge thanks to the powerlifting team and my coach who have always been there to provide support and encouragement, especially my coach who keeps urging me to rise to the occasion for Sarawak," he said.
 
Commenting on his record-breaking feat, Azlan regarded it as a personal improvement while also viewing Bonnie’s record as healthy competition.
 
"We are good friends on the powerlifting team, and I see it as healthy competition.
 
"I just keep a positive mindset. If he (Bonnie) can do it, so can I,” he added.
 
Azlan is now preparing himself for the Southeast Asian Para Games 2025 in Thailand and the Powerlifting World Cup in Dubai next February, marking his third participation in the event.
 
Meanwhile, another Sarawak representative, Melinda Tiong contributed two gold medals in the women's 61 kg powerlifting event, winning both for her best lift and total lift.
 
Melinda successfully lifted 62 kg, with a total from her three attempts amounting to 183 kg.
 
Perak athlete, Aphiradi Singchang, secured two silver medals, lifting 57 kg with a total of 168 kg. 
 
Aphiradi also broke the national and Para SUKMA records in the women's 61 kg W55 category for the best lift.
 
Johor’s Eng Ling Li took home two bronze medals with her best lift of 46 kg and a total lift of 123 kg. 
 
She also set a Para SUKMA record in the women’s 61 kg W41 category for the best lift.
 
Another Sarawak athlete, Rabiatul Adawiyah finished in fourth place despite managing to lift 46 kg with a total lift of 91 kg, as Eng Ling Li was awarded third place for her best lift after calculations using the Coefficient Formula.
 
Nevertheless, Rabiatul succeeded in breaking both the national and Para SUKMA records with her 46 kg lift in the women's 61 kg W45 category. -UKASnews