David Liti Clinches Gold in Men's 110+kg Weightlifting at Commonwealth Games 2026

In an exhilarating showdown at the Commonwealth Games 2026, New Zealand's David Liti clinched the gold medal in the men's 110+kg weightlifting category. His impressive clean and jerk lift of 223kg not only secured his victory but also set a new Commonwealth Games record. Lovepreet Singh from India put up a commendable fight, earning a silver medal and contributing to India's successful weightlifting campaign. This event highlighted the fierce competition between the two nations, showcasing the dedication and talent of the athletes involved. Read on to discover more about this thrilling competition and the athletes' performances.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jul 31, 2026, 07:21 IST

Liti's Triumph in Glasgow

Glasgow [Scotland], July 31: New Zealand's David Andrew Liti expressed his joy after securing the gold medal in the men's 110+kg weightlifting event, stating his pride in representing his nation and achieving the performance he had aimed for.

He acknowledged the competitive spirit with India, emphasizing the strengths of both countries and how such rivalries motivate athletes to elevate their performance.

India's weightlifting journey at the Commonwealth Games 2026 wrapped up on a high note, with Lovepreet Singh contributing a silver medal in the men's 110+kg category in Glasgow.

Liti set a new Commonwealth Games record with a clean and jerk lift of 223kg, surpassing Lovepreet to claim gold with a total of 389kg, narrowly beating the Indian by just one kilogram. Earlier, he had lifted 166kg in the snatch.

"I am extremely happy. This is precisely what we aimed for. I take pride in representing New Zealand and bringing home a gold medal. My goal was to perform well, give my best, and deliver my strongest performance. I am thrilled that everything came together today," Liti shared.

He added, "India has strengths in various areas, but New Zealand also shines in different aspects. It's fantastic to have such fierce competition, as it drives us to perform better together."

Liti managed to overcome a significant 15 kg deficit with a single lift, edging out Lovepreet by the slimmest of margins, denying the Indian a gold despite his remarkable effort.

This marked India's eighth medal in weightlifting at the Games. Previously, Mirabai Chanu (women's 48kg - gold), Rishikanta Singh (men's 60kg - silver), Muthupandi Raja (men's 65kg - silver), Bindyarani Devi (women's 58kg - bronze), Gyaneshwari Yadav (women's 53kg - silver), Valluri Ajaya Babu (men's 79kg - silver), and Harjinder Kaur (women's 69kg - silver) had also achieved podium finishes for the nation.