Glasgow 2026: Main Target Achieved, Malaysia Hunting For Bonus Medals

GLASGOW, July 29 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian contingent is now hunting for bonus medals at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games after successfully achieving the main target of five gold and two silver early, said the country's chef de mission (CDM) to Glasgow 2026, Awalan Abdul Aziz.

He said the national contingent has so far collected five gold, two silver and three bronze, only one bronze short of completing the overall target of five gold, two silver and four bronze medals.

With a few days of competition still remaining, Awalan is optimistic that Malaysia will be able to add to its medal collection through field bowling, weightlifting, track cycling and judo.

"Alhamdulillah, we have managed to achieve the target of five gold, while two silvers have also been achieved. Now we have three bronzes compared to the original target of 5-2-4.

"We still have a few days of competition and a few more medal prospects. Hopefully we can bring home more medals for the country,” he told Bernama.

Awal also congratulated all the athletes who contributed medals, describing the success as the result of great sacrifices after going through various challenges throughout the preparation and competition process.

Four of the five national golds so far were contributed by the weightlifting camp, respectively Mohamad Aniq Kasdan in the men's 60 kilogramme (kg) category, Muhammad Aznil Bidin (men's 65kg), Muhammad Erry Hidayat (men's 79kg) and Muhammad Hafizuddin Roslin in the men's 88kg category.

Another was by para long jumper Datuk Abdul Latif Romly in the men's T20 event.

Two silver medals were also presented by the field bowling camp, while three bronze medals were contributed by weightlifting, para powerlifting and para athletics.

“For them to reach this level and win gold, silver and bronze medals is not easy. If you look at the weightlifters who have won the majority of gold medals, they have gone through various challenges. Some are not very healthy, and some have taken high risks to do heavy lifting,” he said.

Meanwhile, he said the success of the women's field bowling pair of Aleena Ahmad Nawawi-Syafiqa Haidar Afif Abdul Rahman in winning the silver pairs was quite special after Syafiqa competed while five months pregnant.

Awalan also praised the achievement of Izzat Shameer Dzulkeple, who made history as the first Malaysian player to win a medal in the men's singles event at the Commonwealth Games by winning silver.

Glasgow 2026 began on July 23 and will close on August 2.
– BERNAMA