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England's Chris Murray wins Commonwealth Games gold in men's 81kg

England's Chris Murray wins Commonwealth Games gold in men's 81kg
© Reuters
England's Chris Murray sets a new Commonwealth Games record of 325kg to win the gold medal in the men's 81kg weightlifting final.

England's Chris Murray became Commonwealth Games champion in front of the home crowd after a standout performance in the men's 81kg weightlifting final in Birmingham.

The four-time British champion posted a new Games record of 325kg after his snatch and clean and jerk lifts and let out a roar of emotion after clinching the gold medal.

Murray led at the halfway point after completing a 144kg snatch, with Australia's Kyle Bruce - his closest challenger - trying and failing twice to lift 147kg.

In the clean and jerk, Murray once again got through without a set of red lights, lifting 174kg, 178kg and 181kg on the first attempts before the pressure fell onto Bruce's and Nicolas Vachon's shoulders.

The Australian successfully completed a 180kg clean and jerk and initially got three green lights for his 183kg attempt, which would have put him into the gold medal position.

However, the jury overruled the result after a slight bend in Bruce's left elbow, leaving Vachon as the only challenger for top spot, and the Canadian went for broke with 187kg.

Vachon was milliseconds away from completing the lift but ultimately lost his grip to settle for the bronze medal with a total of 320kg, as Bruce won silver with 323kg.

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Written by
Ben Knapton

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