Powerlifting World Cup gold for Wilding and Broome

Nathaniel Wilding saved his best until last as the Brit snatched a sensational gold medal with his final effort at the World Para Powerlifting World Cup in Eger, Hungary.

The 26-year-old, who came fifth at the 2018 Commonwealth Games, was locked in a tense battle with Thailand’s Thongsa Marasri and Italy’s Donato Telesca in the men’s up to 72kg competition.

Only two kilograms separated the top three heading into the final round, with Wilding leading the way on 176kg ahead of second-placed Marasri on 175kg.

Telesca, who had already won the junior event, was third (174kg) with one attempt to go but piled the pressure on his rivals to move into gold-medal position with a successful lift of 179kg.

The Italian’s effort proved too much for Marasri, who was forced to settle for bronze on 175kg, leaving Wilding as the only man who could topple Telesca.

And the Ipswich-born para powerlifter duly delivered with his final lift, holding his nerve to reclaim first place and the gold medal with a successful lift at 180kg.

Wilding’s success came a day after compatriot Olivia Broome also finished on the top of podium in the women’s up to 50kg category, producing a final lift of 94kg to be crowned champion.

Broome was leading the way after her first lift of 89kg, with Russian Marina Beketova second (86kg) and Halima Lemtakhem of Morocco third after lifting 74kg.

The Brit improved her standing with a second lift of 93kg, just three kilograms better off than Beketova’s 90kg effort, as Lemtakhem failed with her lift of 77kg.

Broome then sealed the deal with a final lift of 94kg after Beketova failed with her attempt at 95kg, with Lemtakhem taking the bronze medal despite failing again at 80kg.