KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Weightlifting Federation (MWF) is not just content to get a lifter into the Olympics. It wants its man on the podium too.
And it has set a bold target of a podium finish for Aniq Kasdan at the Paris Games.
Aniq booked his berth for the Paris Olympics in the under-61kg event with a total lift of 290kg after clearing 125kg in the snatch and 165kg in the clean and jerk at the IWF Cup earlier this month.
Hafifi Mansor was the last Malaysian weightlifter to compete in the Olympics.
He finished 12th overall with a total lift of 316kg in the under-69kg event at the 2016 Rio Olympics.
MWF president Datuk Ayub Rahmat said they plan to help Aniq finish on the podium with quality training.
He said Aniq will be sent to train in Ireland under former national weightlifter Faizal Baharom, who is now based in Dublin with a weightlifting club.
"We have set a weight target of 305-310kg for Aniq to lift. If Aniq can bring home an Olympic medal, it will be the highest achievement for the country in the sport of weightlifting," he said.
"We will send him to get acclimatised to the weather in Ireland. He might be there for a week before the Olympics.
"Before he goes to Ireland, MWF will ensure Aniq is 99 per cent ready for the challenge.
"In Ireland, it will be a stint to tie up the loose ends."
Aniq is currently undergoing training at the National Sports Council in Bukit Jalil, and will head to Rompin, Pahang, for intensive training to improve his technique in the snatch competition under coach Edmund Yeo.
He said the National Sports Institute will provide the Segamat-born Aniq with supplements and vitamins to avoid any doping issues.