In a thrilling competition on Thursday, Lovepreet Singh from Glasgow made history by breaking the Commonwealth Games snatch record. He narrowly missed out on the gold medal, finishing just one kilogram behind New Zealand’s David Andrew Liti and securing a silver medal in the men’s 110kg weightlifting event.
Event Context
At the competition, the 28-year-old athlete lifted a total of 388kg but was narrowly edged out by Liti, who took home the gold with a lift of 389kg, setting a new Games record in the clean and jerk category. England’s Andrew Griffith secured the bronze medal with a total lift of 356kg, far behind the leaders.
Lovepreet, who previously earned a bronze medal at the last event, improved his standing this time, effectively ending India’s streak of three medal-less appearances in weightlifting. His performance contributed to India’s strong showing, with the team concluding the event with eight medals—one gold, six silvers, and one bronze.
Originating from Bal Sikander village in the border district of Amritsar, Punjab, Lovepreet hails from a modest background; his father is a tailor, and his grandfather sold vegetables. Encouraged by his family to pursue athletics over the family business, he began weightlifting at 13 at the DAV Ground, rising to become one of India’s top heavyweight lifters.
“I believed I could win gold after the snatch, but ultimately it was in God’s hands. I’m a bit disappointed I couldn’t make my final clean and jerk lift, as I’ve managed more in training,” Lovepreet reflected after securing silver.
In the snatch, Lovepreet showcased exceptional skill, beginning with a solid lift of 168kg and then advancing to 173kg. He shattered the Games record with an impressive 176kg in his third attempt, giving him a significant 10kg lead heading into the clean and jerk phase.
The unexpected exit of Samoa’s Sanele Mao, who failed all three snatch attempts at 175kg, further bolstered Lovepreet’s position as a frontrunner for the gold.
However, Liti made an impressive recovery during the clean and jerk. Starting with a lift of 207kg, he began to close the gap. Lovepreet matched his personal best with a successful 212kg lift on his second attempt. Cheered on by supporters shouting “Come on Jatta” and “Come on Singh,” Lovepreet chose to attempt a bold lift of 217kg in his last effort, which would have not only broken the Games record but also secured him the gold medal.
Match Outlook
He was able to lift the weight cleanly, but lacked the power to push it overhead. This misstep paved the way for Liti, who impressively lifted 223kg, setting a new Games record in the clean and jerk category, and claimed the gold medal by the narrowest of margins.
