Weightlifter Aniq Kasdan faces a ton of unpredictability

New Straits Times

03-05-2025

KUALA LUMPUR: It's only a difference of one kilogramme, but enough to throw a ton of unpredictability into weightlifter Aniq Kasdan's career.
The 22-year-old Malaysian will find himself competing for the last time in the 61kg event at the Asian Championships in Jiangshan, China from May 9-15 before moving to the 60kg.
The International Weightlifting Federation has revised the weight categories from next month following a proposal by its Innovation Commission.
Aniq will compete in the 60kg class at the Commonwealth Championship in India (Aug 24-30), World Championships in Norway (Oct 2-11), and Thailand Sea Games (Dec 7-19)
The lifter admitted that the 60kg category will be a challenge as new contenders are expected to enter the category.
"After the Asian Championships, I will switch to the new 60kg category. There will no longer be a category for 61kg," said the national record holder.
"The one kilogramme difference might seem small, but it's hard to say because this is a new category.
"Those from the lighter categories might also move up to this category. So, in terms of competition, it's unpredictable.
"There might be many new faces because the 60kg category is one of the lowest. Only at the World Championships will we see who the real competitors are."
Aniq has to maintain a top-eight world ranking or finish in the top eight at the world championships, win a medal at the 2026 Commonwealth Games or Asian Games to stay in the RTG Olympic programme.
Aniq came tantalisingly close to making history at the 2024 Paris Olympics, where he finished fourth, just one kilogramme shy of bronze medallist Hampton Morris of the United States.