The young athlete, who got into weightlifting at the age of 11 while studying at Kesang Tua Primary School, won in the 49kg category at the 2022 Malaysia Games (Sukma).
The national backup athlete began lifting with a stick before moving on to heavier exercises. She was soon able to lift a total of 134kg through both the snatch and clean and jerk categories.
“I started weightlifting at school because at that time there was a talent search programme for weightlifters and I was interested, but at first, it was just for fun … I didn’t expect it to reach this level and I have competed several times now in weightlifting tournaments.
“I have won more than five gold medals in the tournaments I have participated in but the best achievement was at Sukma 2022. In the future, I have to prepare myself to face bigger and more important tournaments at the national and international levels,” she told reporters after the Weightlifting Talent Search Programme here at SK Kesang Tua today.
The SMK Kesang Tua student said that she had previously trained with Tokyo Olympics gold medallist from the Philippines, Hidliyn Diaz, at the Kesang Tua Weightlifting Training Centre before getting the opportunity to represent Melaka at Sukma 2022.
The fifth of seven siblings said that during her training stint with Hidliyn, the Filipino had taught her the right techniques to perform brilliantly on stage.
“Until now, I still apply the techniques and knowledge she shared with me, and it is very valuable. The right technique is very important to avoid injuries,” she said.
Commenting on the next tournament she will face, Nurul Syaasyaa Khairina said she was preparing to compete in the National Junior and Senior Weightlifting Championships in Rompin, Pahang in March followed by the Commonwealth Junior and Senior Championships in New Delhi in July.
She said her father, Samsur Midon, 54, who also coaches her, is a constant motivation to improve her achievements or weightlifting records.
Meanwhile, Samsur said he can see that Nurul Syaasyaa Khairina has a natural passion to be an athlete and that she has the self-confidence and belief to become a weightlifter.
“As a father and a coach, I hope that Syaasyaa can not only make Melaka famous but also the country,” said the retired army personnel.