KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 24 (Bernama) -- National weightlifter Zaira Zakaria, winner of a bronze medal in the 48kg clean & jerk at the Laos SEA Games two years ago, is expected to announce her retirement by year end.
Zaira, 24, said her decision to retire was due to the age factor, since she would not be able to be actively involved in the sport, due to her age.
"Furthermore, we have many capable back up weightlifters to fill the void," the Kedah born weightlifter told Bernama.
The Kedahan who came close to winning a bronze medal at the New Delhi Commonwealth Games last year, hopes to end her 11-year career as a national weightlifter, by improving on her bronze medal feat in Laos.
She said after the Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebrations, she would concentrate on training and preparing for the National Weightlifting Circuit 2 on Sept in Kuala Lumpur.
Zaira said the circuit would be the platform for selection of weightlifters for the SEA Games in Indonesia from Nov 11 to 25.
"If selected I will try to improve on my bronze medal feat in Laos because it will be my last SEA Games. After retiring from sports, I am considering to work with the Armed Forces," she said.
Apart from the SEA Games, Zaria and the other weightlifters who are currently undergoing training despite the fasting month, would also compete in the World Championships in Paris, France, to try and earn a ticket to the 2012 London Olympics.
Zaira, 24, said her decision to retire was due to the age factor, since she would not be able to be actively involved in the sport, due to her age.
"Furthermore, we have many capable back up weightlifters to fill the void," the Kedah born weightlifter told Bernama.
The Kedahan who came close to winning a bronze medal at the New Delhi Commonwealth Games last year, hopes to end her 11-year career as a national weightlifter, by improving on her bronze medal feat in Laos.
She said after the Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebrations, she would concentrate on training and preparing for the National Weightlifting Circuit 2 on Sept in Kuala Lumpur.
Zaira said the circuit would be the platform for selection of weightlifters for the SEA Games in Indonesia from Nov 11 to 25.
"If selected I will try to improve on my bronze medal feat in Laos because it will be my last SEA Games. After retiring from sports, I am considering to work with the Armed Forces," she said.
Apart from the SEA Games, Zaria and the other weightlifters who are currently undergoing training despite the fasting month, would also compete in the World Championships in Paris, France, to try and earn a ticket to the 2012 London Olympics.
-- BERNAMA
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