Weightlifter Erry aims to be in world's top 12 to earn automatic spot in Paris Olympics

KUALA LUMPUR: National weightlifter Muhammad Erry Hidayat aims to be among the world's top 12 to gain an automatic spot in the 2024 Paris Olympics.

To achieve that, the 23-year-old plans to compete in several world meets, starting with the World Weightlifting Championships in Bogota, Colombia in December, to collect qualifying points.

"My target is to be ranked in the top 12, which is the minimum requirement to qualify for the Olympics. I am now ranked 16th in the world.

Erry, who is the son of former national weightlifting legend Muhammad Hidayat Hamidon, made the country proud by winning a silver medal in the 73kg category at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.

For the record, Muhammad Hidayat won one gold and one silver at the 1998 Kuala Lumpur Commonwealth Games.

-- BERNAMA