David Liti is a Commonwealth Games champion again.
Liti has won the +110kg class in Glasgow with a strong strategic move by his team in the clean and jerk phase.
He sat second behind Lovepreet Singh, of India, after the snatch and remained in that position until his second to last lift.
Liti told RNZ he enjoyed what in the end turned out to be a one-on-one battle with Singh.
“To be better we need to compete against each other, we’re friends who just want to be the best they can be. Today I have the gold and maybe next time he would.”
Liti said he got pumped up by the noisy crowd.
“It’s the best feeling, the crowd was crazy, such a good crowd. I didn’t think any crowd could match Gold Coast it helped a lot with the confidence and the adrenaline to get up on the platform.
“I think we had more Kiwis than Scots there today, so very very proud.”
Liti achieved 220kg with his first clean and jerk lift to put the pressure on Singh who had a 10kg lead after the snatch.
The Kiwi then decided to nominate 223kg for his second lift meaning the Indian had to make 217kg to match him, but he failed.
Liti then successfully lifted 223kg on his first attempt to win gold.
The Aucklander finished with a games record combined weight of 389kg.
He admitted afterwards that he wasn’t happy with his snatch but felt he could overcome his opponent in the clean and jerk.
Liti and coach Tina Ball embraced in front of the crowd and New Zealand supporters afterwards.
Ball is the only coach Liti has ever had.
“I thank her for everything I do, I’m very proud of her for looking after me and my emotions,” Liti said.
The 30 year old won gold at the 2018 games and then silver four years ago.
Tuʿi-Alofa Patolo finished fourth in the women’s +86kg class.
Fiji won their first gold medal with Taniela Rainibogi winning the 110kg class.