Promising New Zealand weightlifter Cameron McTaggart finished seventh in the men’s 77kg section today.
McTaggart, just 20, totalled 290kg. The event was won by Indian Sathish Sivalingam with 317kg, followed by Englishman Jack Oliver with 312kg.
McTaggart, who moved down a weight division for these Games, lifted 127kg and 130kg then missed at 133kg in the snatch. In the clean and jerk he lifted 156kg, missed at 160kg and then lifted 160kg. It was his best clean and jerk at this weight.
The New Zealander entertained the vociferous crowd, which included a strong group of his supporters, with a perfect backflip on stage after his final lift.
McTaggart said he didn’t quite hit the numbers he wanted, but was happy enough with how he had gone. His total was 1kg below his best as a 77kg lifter.
“When I missed that 160 in the clean and jerk, I knew I could do it and I went straight back out and nailed it,” he said.