PETALING JAYA, 23 Nov 2017:
Newly-formed Malaysian Association for Powerlifting (MAP) aims to make the sport the next popular sport in the country.
MAP president Dayalan Jeevan said with the growing interest in the strength-based sport, the national governing body would be able to produce world class powerlifters to deliver medals at international competitions.
Founded a year ago, before getting the endorsement from the Ministry of Youth and Sports in May this year, MAP now has about 200-300 active powerlifters with the potential to represent the country soon.
After becoming a member of the Asian Powerlifting Federation (APF) in September and International Powerlifting Federation (IPF) last month, MAP is now in the midst of setting up state affiliates to increase members and nurture talent.
“Our one year goal is to increase the followers of the sport, send more athletes for international competitions and organise the Malaysia Open championship next March. In five years, we want to have state associations to look after the grassroots development and produce Asian level champions.
“There efforts taken by IPF and APF to include powerlifting in the Commonwealth Games, Asian Games and Olympics and we are hopeful of delivering medals for Malaysia.”
Though powerlifting sounds similar to weightlifting and para-powerlifting (disabled), powerlifting differs in terms of equipment used and format – where a weightlifter is required to do two overhead lift of bench press, and clean and jerk, while a powerlifter needs to do three lifts, namely squat, bench press and deadlift.
“We can only use the IPF-certified equipment for competitions. The equipment are slightly different from weightlifting, whereby weightlifting uses bumper plates made of resilient rubber, while in powerlifting, we use cast iron plates, hence powerlifters not allowed to throw the barbell down after a lift.
“IPF also works closely with World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and only recognises drug free organisations. All the members are required to take an oath to stay away from drugs and prohibited substance,” said Dayalan, who himself was a powerlifter, before taking up the role as the president.
The next immediate test for the Malaysian powerlifters would be the Asian Classic Powerlifting Championship from Dec 4-10 at the Alappuzha in Kerala, India, followed by World Classic Powerlifting Championships in Calgary, Canada, in June.
For the Asian meet, Dayalan said the four powerlifters are 2016 World Champion Gee Ci Long in the men’s Under–59kg open category, Carmille Wong (women’s U-63kg open), Yeoh Han Pin (men’s U-74kg open) and Syazwan Elias (men’s U-83kg open).
Meanwhile, 29-year-old Gee, aims to claim the number one deadlifter crown at the Asian meet and a podium finish at the World Championship.
“I started working out about two years ago, after getting involved in competitive events, just after realising that the gap is very close to the world top lifters. Preparation for Asian Championship is going good and I hope we can show that we are the Asian powerhouse.”
– Bernama