In 1974, Kadir won a bronze medal at the British Commonwealth Games in New Zealand, Singapore's third medal at the Games but the first outside weightlifting. He was subsequently named the Sportsman of the Year by the SNOC, in recognition for his contribution to boxing and sports in Singapore. He also attended the Asian Games in Tehran but was lost again in the first round. In 1975, Kadir earned another silver at the SEAP Games in Bangkok.