FOR 15 seconds Commonwealth Games weightlifter and Lidcombe resident Kyle Bruce thought he had won a gold medal in his 81kg category.
That was right before judges concerned about the overhead lockout position of one of his elbows, deemed it a ‘no lift’ and stripped him of his honour.
Despite a challenge from the Australian team and the shock of millions around the world viewing the victory in their lounge rooms, the golden win was denied and he had to settle for a silver medal – his second after winning silver at the 2021 Commonwealth Weightlifting Championships in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.
Extremely disappointed, Kyle says nothing can prepare you for a loss such as that.
“I felt on top of the world, the endorphins were rushing as I believed I had achieved the pinnacle in my sport,” he said.
“Then to have it taken away just seconds later was sad and I slumped to a very low point.
“The silver is great but I wanted the gold, I had the gold and then it was gone; that was a big thing to deal with.”
Though the Paris Olympics are next in 2024, Kyle is happy for now to concentrate on his business, Uplift Weightlifting Gym in Merrylands, which has been booming on the back of his Games’ success.
“I may still go for the Olympics but will definitely have my eye on the next Commonwealth Games in Victoria in 2026,” he said.
“I promise then to be unstoppable.”
Kyle robbed of ‘gold’ win
By CINDY LYNCH