National weightlifter Muhammad Erry Hidayat delivered Malaysia’s third gold medal at the 2026 Commonwealth Games after winning the men’s 79kg event and setting a new Games record on Tuesday.
The 26-year-old lifted a combined 331kg, recording 147kg in the snatch and 184kg in the clean and jerk, securing his first Commonwealth Games gold after claiming silver in the 73kg category at Birmingham 2022.
The victory also completed a remarkable family legacy, with Muhammad Erry following in the footsteps of his father, Hidayat Hamidon, who won Commonwealth Games gold at the 1998 Kuala Lumpur Games.
Muhammad Erry edged out India’s Valluri Ajaya Babu by just one kilogram to secure the title.
Valluri finished with a total lift of 330kg, comprising 149kg in the snatch and 181kg in the clean and jerk.
England’s Chris Murray claimed the bronze medal after posting a combined lift of 325kg, with 148kg in the snatch and 177kg in the clean and jerk.
Muhammad Erry’s triumph brings Malaysia’s weightlifting gold medal tally at Glasgow 2026 to three, following earlier victories by Mohamad Aniq Kasdan in the men’s 60kg category and Muhamad Aznil Bidin in the men’s 65kg event on Sunday.
