From Ahmad Nazrin Syahmi Mohamad Arif
GLASGOW, July 31 (Bernama) -- Malaysia wrapped up its Commonwealth Games Glasgow 2026 weightlifting campaign in style after Siti Aqilah Farhana Draman secured a historic silver medal, with the national contingent now shifting its focus to track cycling, which begins tomorrow.
Siti Aqilah produced a stunning performance on her Commonwealth Games debut by claiming silver in the women's +86kg event, capping an outstanding campaign for the national weightlifting squad.
The 20-year-old Terengganu-born athlete became the first Malaysian woman to win a Commonwealth Games silver medal in weightlifting since women's events were introduced at the Manchester 2002 edition.
Her silver ensured weightlifting finished as Malaysia's biggest medal contributor, delivering an overall haul of five gold, one silver and one bronze.
The five gold medals were won by Mohamad Aniq Kasdan (men's 60kg), Muhamad Aznil Bidin (65kg), Muhammad Erry Hidayat (79kg), Muhammad Hafizuddin Roslin (88kg) and Muhamad Syahmi Nor Ghazali (94kg), while Irene Jane Henry added a bronze in the women's 48kg event.
Meanwhile, world number one Emma Firyana Saroji maintained her flawless run in the lawn bowls competition by recording her third consecutive victory in the group stage.
Malaysia's men's pairs also preserved their unbeaten record with a third straight win, strengthening their chances of progressing to the next round.
In para track cycling, Malaysia's tandem pairs Nur Suraiya Muhamad Zamri-Farina Shawati Mohd Adnan and Nur Azlia Syafinaz Mohd Zais-Nurul Suhada Zainal finished fifth and sixth respectively in the women's Tandem B Sprint qualifying round.
With the weightlifting competition now concluded, the Malaysian contingent's attention turns to the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome, where the national track cycling squad will begin its campaign tomorrow in the women's sprint and men's keirin.
National track cycling star Datuk Mohd Azizulhasni Awang is scheduled to compete in Heat Three of the men's keirin, while teammate and Birmingham 2022 bronze medallist Muhammad Shah Firdaus Sahrom will line up in Heat Four.
Malaysia's women's challenge will be led by Nurul Izzah Izzati Mohd Asri and Nur Alyssa Mohd Farid, who are set to begin their campaigns in the women's sprint event.
With three days of competition remaining, defending champions Australia continued to dominate the medal standings with 51 gold, 24 silver and 35 bronze medals.
England remained second with 15 gold, 30 silver and 20 bronze medals, while Canada occupied third place with 15 gold, 13 silver and 17 bronze.
Malaysia, having surpassed its five-gold target, is now seventh in the standings with six gold, three silver and three bronze medals.
The Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games are scheduled to conclude this Sunday.
-- BERNAMA