Weightlifting

Big weights, big lifts and big emotions are on show as the Commonwealth’s strongest men and women compete across various weight categories. When it comes to securing medals, every lift counts, and the scoreboard becomes a tactical race for gold.

Athletes compete in two disciplines — the snatch and the clean and jerk — and perform three lifts in each.

The snatch sees the lifter pick up the barbell with a wide grip and raise it overhead in one fluid motion.

In the clean and jerk, the lifter first brings the bar to their chest (clean), pauses, then drives it overhead (jerk) with locked elbows. They must hold it steady until the buzzer sounds.

Lifters get three snatch attempts and three clean and jerk attempts. Weights increase throughout the competition, and athletes must tactically select which attempts to go for.
The combined total of each lifter’s best snatch and best clean and jerk determines the winner.

Previous Commonwealth Games Appearances

Weightlifting made its debut at the 1950 Games in Auckland, and has featured at every Games since.

Oh Brother

At Kuala Lumpur 1998, twin brothers Stuart and Tommy Yule ended up on opposing teams due to residency rules — Stuart for Scotland, Tommy for England. They later reunited in Scotland colours at Manchester 2002.

Para Powerlifting

Para Powerlifting is the ultimate test of upper body strength, with athletes competing in the bench press discipline.

Athletes must lower the bar to their chest, hold it motionless, then press it upwards to full arm extension with locked elbows.

Three international referees instantly decide the outcome using a system of white and red lights:

  • Two or more white lights = a good lift

  • Two or more red lights = no lift

Each lifter has three attempts. The athlete who lifts the heaviest successful weight wins.

A fourth attempt may be granted (at the jury’s discretion) for a world record, but it doesn't count towards final rankings.

Such is the strength on show that it’s not uncommon for Para Powerlifters to lift more than three times their body weight.

Previous Commonwealth Games Appearances

Men’s Para Powerlifting debuted at the Manchester 2002 Games, with the women’s event added at Delhi 2010.
Today, it’s one of the fastest-growing Para sports on the global stage.

How Heavy is Heavy?

In 2016, Siamand Rahman set the Para Powerlifting world record with a lift of 310kg — roughly the weight of a grand piano!