After the disappointment of not getting any tickets for the London 2012 Olympics, I was determined to at least see one event at the 2014 Commonwealth Games currently taking place in Glasgow.
In April, when tickets for the general public went on sale, I scanned through the sports that were on offer looking for something that would be both appealing, and of relevance. It wasn't too long before weightlifting had grabbed my attention. I felt it was appropriate because I'd recently started lifting weights as part of my workouts at Luke Bremner Fitness.
Knowing nothing about this sport, I did a quick internet search on the different classes and categories. When better informed, I applied for a ticket for the 94kg (207lbs) Mens Weightlifting Final, as this was the closest weight - at that point in time - to my own.
After weeks of waiting, on Tuesday I made my way to the Clyde Auditorium in Glasgow to attend the event. Like London 2012, the venues have been packed with spectators, which is great to see. Whilst waiting for the competition to start everyone was given a brief introduction to the weightlifting format, how it worked and what to look for. This was a prefect guide for newbies like me. The audience were also encouraged to cheer and support all the competitors equally. Once both competitors and judges had been introduced, there was 10 minute warm-up before the competition started.
The first element was the "Snatch". Once this got underway, I suddenly realised weightlifting isn't just about brut strength, but there's a psychological element to the competition too. Participants started nominating to lift heavier weights which altered the order in which people appeared on stage. I also hadn't appreciated that there were time limits placed on each lift. This all made for a very enthralling spectacle.
When Scotland's Peter Kirkbride - who had won a Silver medal at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Dehli - appeared on stage, the venue roof almost came off with the noise from our cheers. The pressure of performing in front of a home crowd must have been immense for him. However his first lift was sufficient to take him through to the second element which was the "Clean and Jerk."
It was at this point that the audience became completely impartial. When competitors failed a lift, the noise from our support for their next attempt became even louder. We were almost willing some competitors to make the lift in order to keep the competition going longer.
Ultimately it came down to a battle between Simplice Ribouem from Australia and Steven Kukuna Kari (photographed above) from Papa New Guinea. Mr Ribouem had managed to lift a heavier weight in the Snatch but Mr Kari had lifted more in the Clean and Jerk. At the end of the competition this left them both tied on the same combined weight for the two lifts of 349kg (769lbs). In the end the gold medal was won by the gentleman from Papa New Guinea, because he was the lighter weight of the two men.
The BBC - who are televising the Commonwealth Games across the UK - are asking its audience to get involved by using the Twitter hashtag #GetInspired. After Tuesday evening I've certainly been inspired. I've been given quite a number of new challenges this week by Luke Bremner in his private fitness training studio and, in all honesty, I've surpass all my expectations… well, for this week anyway.
The first element was the "Snatch". Once this got underway, I suddenly realised weightlifting isn't just about brut strength, but there's a psychological element to the competition too. Participants started nominating to lift heavier weights which altered the order in which people appeared on stage. I also hadn't appreciated that there were time limits placed on each lift. This all made for a very enthralling spectacle.
When Scotland's Peter Kirkbride - who had won a Silver medal at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Dehli - appeared on stage, the venue roof almost came off with the noise from our cheers. The pressure of performing in front of a home crowd must have been immense for him. However his first lift was sufficient to take him through to the second element which was the "Clean and Jerk."
It was at this point that the audience became completely impartial. When competitors failed a lift, the noise from our support for their next attempt became even louder. We were almost willing some competitors to make the lift in order to keep the competition going longer.
Ultimately it came down to a battle between Simplice Ribouem from Australia and Steven Kukuna Kari (photographed above) from Papa New Guinea. Mr Ribouem had managed to lift a heavier weight in the Snatch but Mr Kari had lifted more in the Clean and Jerk. At the end of the competition this left them both tied on the same combined weight for the two lifts of 349kg (769lbs). In the end the gold medal was won by the gentleman from Papa New Guinea, because he was the lighter weight of the two men.
The BBC - who are televising the Commonwealth Games across the UK - are asking its audience to get involved by using the Twitter hashtag #GetInspired. After Tuesday evening I've certainly been inspired. I've been given quite a number of new challenges this week by Luke Bremner in his private fitness training studio and, in all honesty, I've surpass all my expectations… well, for this week anyway.
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