📡 YahooJul 24, 2026👁 3 views

England powerlifter Swan wins first gold in Glasgow

England powerlifter Swan wins first gold in Glasgow

[PA Media]
BBCFri, July 24, 2026 at 2:37 PM UTC·1 min read

England's Mark Swan won the first gold medal of the Glasgow Commonwealth Games with a lift of 222kg in the lightweight powerlifting competition.

Swan set a new European record with a lift of 220kg in the up to 80kg category at the European Open Championships in March.

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He improved that to secure gold and then attempted a world record-equalling lift of 232kg in his final attempt but was unsuccessful.

"To get the first medal, especially gold, for Team England in the very first medal event, it's absolutely huge," Swan told BBC Sport.

"Hopefully this motivates the rest of the athletes in Team England to go out and push."

The silver medal went to Roland Ezuruike of Nigeria, while world record holder Malaysia's Bonnie Bunyau Gustin claimed the bronze after failing to lift 230kg in his final attempt.

Swan won silver at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham in 2022.

Commonwealth Games daily schedule