Emily Campbell defends her Commonwealth weightlifting crown with record lifts

Competing in the heaviest women’s division, England’s Emily Campbell lifted a Games-record 278 kg to retain her Commonwealth title, including a 163 kg clean-and-jerk that set a new Commonwealth benchmark. She secured the win with a 115 kg snatch after two earlier attempts fell short, edging out Malaysia’s Siti Aqilah Farhana Draman, who totaled 253 kg, and Canada’s Etta Mae Love, who lifted 250 kg for bronze. The final lift was performed with lions braided into Campbell’s hair, dyed bright red to echo Team England’s colours.

The crowd’s roar grew louder as she completed a personal-best clean-and-jerk, prompting a celebratory dance on stage. In the same session, New Zealand’s Tui-Alofa Patolo missed the podium despite a 130 kg clean-and-jerk, finishing with a 245 kg total.