Weightlifter Liti has to settle for silver

Defending champion David Liti had to settle for silver in the men’s 109+kg weightlifting contest.

The popular New Zealander totalled 394kg, but had to concede his title to Pakistani Muhammad Butt, whose total of 405kg had him comfortably clear.

Liti entered the snatch competition with 166kg, then lifted 170kg, but was not able to succeed with 174kg. Butt snatched 173kg to give him a slight advantage.

On to the clean and jerk, Liti succeeded with 218kg and 224kg, but could not manage 232kg. Butt’s best clean and jerk effort was 232kg and he did not need to take his final lift.

Third place went to Indian Singh Gurdeep with 371kg.

Liti understandably looked disappointed afterwards. He said the ideal game plan is to try to stay a little bit ahead, but that Butt did a good job of keeping himself ahead.

In the morning competition, Koale Junior Tasi Toala (known to most as Junior Tasi) didn’t have the greatest of days in the 109kg men’s contest.

Tasi missed all three of his snatch attempts – at 145kg, 146kg and 146kg – and was ruled out of the contest.

The Samoan-born Tasi, who is based in Hastings, could only stand by and watch the competition play it. The gold medal was eventually won by Junior Percilex Ngadja Nyabeyeu of Cameroon with a total of 361kg.