Kuala lumpur: The Malaysian weightlifting team's historic success at the ongoing 2026 Glasgow Commonwealth Games here was not achieved overnight, but the result of the bitter lessons learnt from the doping cases that once marred the country's image.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, it was those dark episodes that drove the coaching and management lineups to introduce stricter discipline, including intensifying anti-doping education and monitoring the intake of supplements by the lifters in a bid to prevent a recurrence of positive dope tests.

National weightlifting head coach Edmund Yeo admitted that the lifters' past transgressions led to a change in the squad's approach in guiding the athletes, especially regarding the products taken during training and competition. "We have learnt our lesson. So, we are more cautious. we also collaborate with ADAMAS (Anti-Doping Agency of Malaysia) to educate our lifters. This is to raise awareness among our lifters as to what they can and cannot consume. We are also always monitoring their supplement intakes. We are very careful and always remind them about this,' he told Bernama here today.

Weightlifting went through a rough period after being dropped from the country's list of core sports in 2017 following a drop in performance levels, with the sport's reputation, not to mention the country's image, further tarnished when several lifters failed their dope tests. However, weightlifting was given a second chance when it was re-listed among the country's 20 high-performance sports in 2025, paving the way for its rebirth at Glasgow 2026 en route to producing Malaysia's best-ever display in the history of the quadrennial Games.

Throughout the Glasgow 2026 weightlifting competition from July 26-30, the national lifters bagged five golds, one silver and one bronze to emerge as the overall champion in weightlifting. The five Malaysian gold medallists are Mohamad Aniq Kasdan (men's 60-kilogramme); Muhamad Aznil Bidin (men's 65kg); Muhammad Erry Hidayat (men's 79kg); Muhammad Hafizuddin Roslin (men's 88kg); and Muhamad Syahmi Nor Ghazali (men's 94kg).

The five of them also produced a total of 10 Games' records, hammering home the fact that Malaysia's success was not only reflected in its medal tally but also in the improved performances displayed on the competition stage. Siti Aqilah Farhana Draman, meanwhile, created history as the first Malaysian woman to win a Commonwealth Games weightlifting silver medal when she clinched the silver in the +86kg category, with Irene Jane Henry contributing a bronze in the 48kg category.

The 5-1-1 medal haul puts Malaysia ahead of Nigeria (3-1-0), Canada (2-2-4) and India (1-6-1). Having clinched five of the 16 gold medals on offer, the national lifters also surpassed their previous best of two gold medals, which they achieved at Gold Coast 2018 and Birmingham 2022.

This outstanding achievement clearly shows that reviving the sport does not merely depend on the lifters' capability on the stage, but also requires changes in culture, discipline and monitoring outside the competition arena. Edmund said he is extremely proud of the lifters' performance in Glasgow. "The overall performance this time is simply outstanding because in the past few editions, we never hit such heights. We need to keep moving forward, work harder and prepare for the upcoming championships,' he said.

In a bid to bring the lifters back down to earth, Edmund reminded the national lifters to shift their attention to the Olympic Games qualifying events, as well as the 2027 SEA Games and several other major meets. He also advised them not to become complacent after the Glasgow high, saying bigger challenges await them.

Commenting on the praise heaped by Malaysian Weightlifting Federation (MWF) president Datuk Ayub Rahmat on local coaches, Edmund said it would only spur them to continue to produce more world-class lifters. "As a coach, we are touched when our efforts are appreciated. Thank you for appreciating the efforts of the coaches,' said Edmund, who was assisted by Mohd Norshah Rizal Ruslan.

While the success in Glasgow is proof that the national weightlifting squad can rise from the ashes, the real test that lies ahead is to ensure they can repeat the performance, discipline and integrity they have worked so hard to achieve.