Birmingham: India’s Lovepreet Singh delivered a sensational performance to clinch a silver medal in the men’s 110kg weightlifting event at the Commonwealth Games 2026, missing out on gold by the narrowest of margins — just 1kg. The 28-year-old not only improved on his previous bronze medal but also rewrote the Games record in the snatch, underlining his rise as one of India’s premier heavyweight lifters.
Record-breaking effort in snatch
Lovepreet was in dominant form during the snatch segment of the competition. He began confidently with a lift of 168kg before raising the bar to 173kg in his second attempt. With composure and strength, he then cleared 176kg in his final attempt, setting a new Commonwealth Games record.
The lift gave him a significant 10kg advantage over his closest rivals going into the clean and jerk phase, placing him firmly in contention for gold. His performance also highlighted his technical consistency and mental strength under pressure.
Narrow miss in dramatic clean and jerk battle
The contest, however, took a dramatic turn in the clean and jerk. New Zealand’s David Andrew Liti mounted a stunning comeback after trailing in the snatch.
Lovepreet successfully lifted 212kg in his second attempt, matching his personal best and maintaining his lead. With the crowd chanting “Come on Jatta” and “Come on Singh,” he opted for a bold final attempt of 217kg — a lift that would have secured gold and set another Games record.
Although he managed to clean the weight, he was unable to complete the jerk, leaving the door open for Liti. The New Zealander seized the opportunity, lifting a massive 223kg — a new Games record — to finish with a total of 389kg, just 1kg ahead of Lovepreet’s 388kg.
England’s Andrew Griffith secured the bronze medal with a total of 356kg.
From humble beginnings to global stage
Hailing from Bal Sikander village in Punjab’s Amritsar district, Lovepreet’s journey is one of determination and perseverance. Born into a modest family, his father works as a tailor while his grandfather sold vegetables to support the household.
Encouraged by his family to pursue sports instead of continuing the traditional profession, Lovepreet began weightlifting at the age of 13 at the DAV Ground. Over the years, his dedication and discipline have transformed him into one of India’s leading heavyweight lifters.
His story reflects the growing depth of Indian sport, where talent from rural backgrounds continues to shine on the global stage.
Key boost for India’s campaign
Lovepreet’s silver medal proved crucial in India’s overall weightlifting campaign at the Games. It ended a brief medal drought in the sport and contributed to an impressive tally of eight medals — one gold, six silver and one bronze.
His ability to deliver under pressure, combined with his record-breaking performance, stands out as one of the highlights of India’s campaign in weightlifting.
Conclusion
While Lovepreet Singh narrowly missed out on gold, his performance will be remembered for its grit, excellence and record-breaking achievement. Losing by just 1kg after such a commanding start reflects the fine margins at the highest level of competition. Nonetheless, his silver medal marks a significant milestone in his career and reinforces India’s growing strength in weightlifting on the Commonwealth stage.