Malaysia lifts another gold in Delhi

There were more cheers in the Malaysian camp on the second day of the 2010 Commonwealth Games (CWG), when weightlifters added a gold and silver while cycling provided a silver lining to boost the medal tally.

Though defending overall champion, Australia pulled away from the pack, after taking a lion’s share of the 18 gold medals at stake today, Acricco Jumitih managed to pluck one from the men’s 62kg weightlifting category while his compatriot Naharudin Mahayudin made it a grand finish by taking the silver.

Late yester evening, Raihan Yusoff clinched a bronze in the women’s 53kg-class after lifting a total of 169kg.

Earlier in the day, cyclist Mohd Rizal Tisin made Malaysia proud by becoming the first Malaysian to win a medal in Commonwealth Games cycling events when he collected a silver medal in 1km time trial.

Host India managed to improve its medal standings, with two gold medals, while Australia continued to prove its dominance among the 71 participating Commonwealth nations and associations.

The Aussies won eight gold medals, England rose to second spot with two gold medals, both from shooting.

Today, a total of 27 gold medals will be up for grabs and swimming offers 9, the highest for today’s take.

Malaysia will be hoping for another golden outing today as four swimmers dip into the pool in search of gold while Katrina Ann Abdul Hadi moves into the final of the women’s synchronised swimming solo technical routine final.

Another Malaysian duo, Lee Zhien Huey and Png Hui Chuen would be taking part in the finals of the synchronised technical duet finals. Apart from the pool, medal hopes remain bright in the finals of the men’s artistic individual all-around competition through Lum Wan Foong.

Despite a bad outing for Malaysian shooters yesterday, they would be hoping to gun down a medal or two through Benjamin Khor and Khor Seng Chye in the finals of the double trap (pairs) event tomorrow morning.

Meanwhile, Mohd Faerol Talib and Mohd Hafifi Mansor will be competing in the finals of the men’s 69kg category weightlifting finals and certainly would aspire to emulate the success of Amirul Hamizan Ibrahim and Acricco.

But while the Malaysian camp was rejoicing the win by weightlifters and cyclist, there was disappointment in the hockey arena as the Malaysian girls failed to keep up Monday’s winning momentum (defeated Canada 3-2) after losing 0-5 to New Zealand in pool B match.

The men suffered a similar fate when host India snatched a final minute 3-2 victory in their opening Group A match.