James Kon
Four weightlifters from Brunei Darussalam National Weightlifting Association has left the Sultanate to compete in Egat King’s Cup and Egat Princess’ Cup Weightlifting Championship taking place in Mueang District, Phangnga province, Thailand.
The championship from April 25-30 will see Syuhaidah Ahmad compete in the women’s 49 kilogrammes (kg) category, Amal Matahir in women’s 59kg, Nina Juna in women’s 64kg and Muhammad Kamit in men’s 81kg. They are led by team manager Dirah Latif.
Association President Harun bin Haji Ahmad and Vice President Muhd Hadi Dinie bin Abdul Rahman were present to bid the athletes farewell.
Muhd Hadi Dinie said the tournament will prepare local weightlifters for regional and international competition this is the first time the association sends four athletes to the annual event. He said the association hopes they would set national records after three months of preparations.
Muhammad Kamit said this is his debut in a weightlifting competition and he had been training for three years and did not compete due to COVID-19. He said he used to organise competitions and this tournament adds experience to his weightlifting coaching career.
The 30-year-old said his passion in weightlifting began with CrossFit. He said he enjoyed lifting weights so he decided to focus on it and even took a coaching course in the United States.
Weightlifting is gaining prominence in the local sports community with the participation of Mohammad Nashrul bin Haji Abu Bakar and Liyana Safiah binti Haji Sidek in the upcoming Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Cambodia. The regional meet will see the Sultanate’s first participation in SEA Games’ weightlifting event.
