Commonwealth Games: Dengue-stricken Erry Hidayat clinches third weightlifting medal for Malaysia

Malaysian weightlifter Erry Hidayat overcame his dengue fever to charge to a silver medal finish in the men's 73kg event of the 2022 Commonwealth Games.

The 23-year-old, who holds national records in the weight class (143kg snatch, 173kg clean and jerk, 316kg total), lifted a total of 303kg to finish behind Achinta Sheuli.

Already earmarked as his closest challenger before the competition, the Indian lived up to the billing as he set a new Games record of 313kg in total.

As for Erry, he improved on his performance from the previous Games when he finished fifth in the men's 69kg in Gold Coast four years ago.

Shad Darsigny of Canada picked up bronze with 298kg.

After the medal ceremony, he revealed that he contracted dengue in Malaysia and had not recovered in time for the contest.

Hampir pitam di angkatan ke 3, Erry Hidayat terkilan gagal lunas janji ‘ Saya pura pura sihat dapan ayah sedangkan saya masuk hospital sbb denggi. X nak ayah risau dan ayah mmg tak tau kondisi saya sehingga saya bertanding - Ery Hidayat, Perak Angkat Berat 73kg @ASTROARENA pic.twitter.com/wLSvNTDR1y

— FinaNasrom (@fnasrom) July 31, 2022

"I pretended to be healthy to my father despite being admitted to hospital for dengue. I did not want him to worry and he really did not know about my condition until I competed," he told Astro Arena reporter Fina Nasrom.

His father, Hidayat Hamidon, memorably won a gold medal at the Kuala Lumpur 1998.

The Malaysian weightlifting squad already delivered two gold medals in Birmingham through Aniq Kasdan (men's 55kg) and Aznil Bidin (men's 61kg).