Glasgow: David Katoatau won the tiny Pacific island nation of Kiribati’s first ever medal at the Commonwealth Games as he claimed gold in the men’s 105kg weightlifting competition.
Katoatau lay fourth after a snatch effort of 148kg, but smashed the competition by lifting 200kg in the clean and jerk to record an overall score of 348kg.
“I knew after the snatch I would win the gold medal because I knew I could do it,” said Katoatau.
“I am going to go back and celebrate with all my people back in Kiribati.”
Stanislas Chalaev of New Zealand took silver for the second consecutive Games with 341kg, whilst England’s Benjamin Watson claimed bronze on 337kg.
“There is certainly a higher standard here than in Delhi,” said Chalaev.
“The gold medallist in Dehli would have been third or fourth here, so it is a big step forward.”
“A top=five finish woud have been great for me so to get a medal is great. I am absolutely over the moon,” added Watson.
There was another remarkable story earlier in the day as defending champion Ele Opeloge of Samoa took silver in the women’s over 75kg event just six months after giving birth.
Maryam Usman claimed gold for Nigeria with New Zealand’s Tracey Lambrechs taking the bronze.
The 23-year-old Usman registered an overall score of 280 kilogrammes thanks to 125kg in the snatch and 155kg in the clean and jerk.
Opeloge finished in second place with 271kg, whilst Lambrechs registered 237kg.
“I feel really excited about winning. I’ve had my mind on gold ever since the very beginning. I believed I would get it and I did,” said a delighted Usman.
There was disappointment for Opeloge as she lost her Commonwealth title, but silver was still a major achievement coming just six months after the birth of her second child.
“I lost the competition on the last lift, my arms were too relaxed. Mistakes happen but I’m still happy,” she said.
“I had a baby six months ago and my other child had a birthday yesterday, so I’m happy.”
And Lambrechs had a particularly Scottish celebration in mind after claiming her bronze medal by just one kilogram ahead of Australia’s Deborah Acason in fourth.
“It is amazing, it means the world to me. Training has been off and on, and I left everything I had out there on the bar. I will celebrate with my coaches and probably a good quality glass of whisky.”
