M'sian Weightlifter Azizah Aims To Break National Record At London Olympic Games

KUALA LUMPUR, June 8 (Bernama) - Weightlifter Azizah Fadzil,21, aims to break the women's national record at London Olympic Games next month. The Penang athlete who will compete in the 53kg category expects stiff challenge from weightlifters from China, Russia and Kazakhstan. "Qualifying for the Olympics is great as the exposure will help improve my performance. I aim to record a personal best and break the national record in the 97kg Clean & Jerk and 79kg Snatch," she told Bernama at weight training centre, National Sports Council (NSC), here Friday. With six weeks to go, Azizah is actively undergoing training at the centre and attending programmes lined-up by NSC and Malaysia Weightlifting Association. She was also advised to maintain her diet, health and be careful during training to avoid injury. "I want to avoid injury as my focus is not only on the Olympics but also SEA Games next year, the Commonwealth Games and Asian Games in 2014. "The coach wants to increase the weight three weeks before the Olympics. I do a lot of training to strengthen the muscles and maintain stamina." Azizah became Malaysia's first woman weightlifter to qualify for the Olympics on merit at Asian Zone Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Pyeongtaek, South Korea in April. Success did not come easy for the Universiti Putra Malaysia (University of Putra, Malaysia) student as she had to divide time between studies and sports. Recalling her early involvement in sports, Azizah said initially her parents discouraged her as they wanted her to concentrate of studies. "However, after seeing my success and commitment in studies, my parents gave their blessings and now I am on the threshhold of success." She was a high jumper in school and took up weightlifting since 16 years-old and was picked for Bukit Jalil Sports School. "My coach Jamil Hashim was responsible for exposing me to weightlifting," she said. Azizah was placed among the top five in women's weightlifting at Jakarta SEA Games last year. -- BERNAMA