Weightlifter Mona Pretorius has finally been rewarded for years of persistence, winning bronze in the women’s Under-63kg at the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games on Saturday, 12 years since she made her debut at the quadrennial showpiece as a teenager.
Pretorius won South Africa’s fourth medal of the multi-sport event, adding to the two gold and bronze from the first two days.
The 29-year-old Pretorius snatched 91kg, before a clean and jerk of 115kg with a total of 206kg to secure the bronze.
Canada’s Maude Charron picked up a total of 220kg for the gold medal, with England’s Zoe Smith earning the silver after she picked up a total of 207kg.
Earlier, the hopes of South Africa’s triathletes adding a mixed relay medal to Henri Schoeman’s gold from Thursday were dashed early on in the race.
Another medal! @TeamSA18 is on a roll at @GC2018. Well done to @MonaPretorius on your weightlifting bronze #proud #GC2018
— Wayde van Niekerk (@WaydeDreamer) April 7, 2018
Racing the first leg, Simone Ackermann came out of the water in the mini-triathlon format of a 250m swim, 7km cycle and 1.5km run in fifth place.
She, however, looked strained halfway through the bicycle leg, and slowed to a crawl in the opening leg due to an injury, leaving Schoeman, Richard Murray and Gillian Sanders with an impossible task.
Not sure I would want @MonaPretorius as a gym partner. She'd make me look bad. Congrats on your bronze medal. Awesome effort! @TeamSA18 is on fire at @GC2018 #TeamMzansi #WeAreAllIn
— Akani Simbine (@AkaniSimbine) April 7, 2018
The team finished last, posting a combined time of 1:23.34, almost six minutes behind eventual winners Australia.
@ockertde