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Kiribati celebrated the first Commonwealth Games medal in its history as KATOATAU David (KIR) took Gold in the Men’s 105kg after the Women’s +75kg where USMAN Maryam (NGR) won Gold.

Women’s +75kg

USMAN turned the tables on the women who defeated her at Delhi 2010 as she succeeded with all 6 lifts to beat Samoa’s OPELOGE Ele (SAM).

USMAN took advantage of a surprise failed lift by OPELOGE in the Snatch to pile on the weight and the pressure in the Clean and Jerk, leaving OPELOGE needing to make up a massive 10kg deficit on her final lift to defend her title.

But the record breaking attempt was never likely and she finished on a Total of 271kg, behind USMAN on 280kg (still 5kg less than OPELOGE’s Total record from Delhi 2010).

ACASON Deborah (AUS) who took the Bronze behind them in Delhi was knocked off the podium by a late charge from LAMBRECHS Tracey (NZL) who finished with a Total of 237kg – 1kg ahead of the Australian.

Men’s 105kg

KATOATAU had been in 4th place after the Snatch but waited for all the other competitors to end their competition in the Clean and Jerk to finally come out with 194kg and seal his place in history.

His lift beat the 341kg Total of CHALAEV Stanislav (NZL) by 1kg and he came back to succeed with another lift of 200kg before 205kg proved to be too much. He ended the competition with a winning Total of 348kg.

WATSON Benjamin (ENG) won Bronze and England’s first Men’s weightlifting medal since Manchester 2002 with a Total of 337kg.

CHALAEV’s Silver is his second in a row in the Men’s 105kg.

KATOATAU David (KIR) said about his celebration dance: “I like dancing and singing”.