Wales’ Laura Hughes is back on the Commonwealth Games podium, taking bronze in the women’s 77kg weightlifting final at the SEC Armadillo in Glasgow.

The 33-year-old, from Rhyl, opened with a 95kg snatch before producing the lift of her competition – a personal best 129kg in the clean and jerk – to rack up a career-high total of 224kg.

That was enough to hold off the rest of the field and secure third spot, behind Samoa’s 18-year-old sensation Seine Stowers, who took gold with a Commonwealth record snatch of 106kg on her way to the top of the podium, and England’s Isabella Brown, who claimed silver after setting a Games record of 132kg in the clean and jerk.

It’s a repeat of Hughes’ achievement from her Games debut on the Gold Coast in 2018, where she also finished third, then in the 75kg category, behind Australia’s Emily Godley and England’s Sarah Davies.

Competing in her second Commonwealth Games, Hughes becomes one of only two members of the Team Wales weightlifting squad to have previous Games experience, alongside Catrin Haf Jones, who is competing at her third consecutive Games.

“It feels absolutely incredible,” Hughes said.

“I think it’s only just starting to sink in. The first time someone asked me that question, I just drew a blank because I couldn’t put it into words.

“But now, I just feel so happy. There are so many emotions. Having my family in the crowd made it special. I’m normally quite shy in those situations, but I could feel their energy and it carried me through every lift.

“I’ve got a massive sense of achievement. I’m so satisfied because all of the hard work has finally been put on display.”

On achieving two personal bests, Hughes was elated.

“I am absolutely thrilled,” she added.

“To have the opportunity to go close to 100kg in the snatch was amazing. I’ve lifted more than that in training, but competition is all about timing and strategy.

“I managed to snatch 99kg on the platform. Even though it was overturned, I’m still incredibly proud I was capable of doing it. Then to finish with a personal best in the clean and jerk and a personal best total makes it even more special.”

On how this compares to winning bronze eight years ago she added that she was able to take the Games in more this time around.

“In 2018 I was a bit like a deer in the headlights,” Hughes reflected.

“Everything happened so quickly that I don’t think I really took it in.

“This time I’ve been able to enjoy every moment. The qualification process has been long, but it’s prepared us for this. It feels like we’ve won this medal together as a team.

“Having my family here makes it even more special. I’m about to go and see them now and I don’t think there’ll be many dry eyes.”

She also paid tribute to Wales weightlifting coach Gareth Evans.

“Gareth has been one of the biggest reasons I’ve been able to win this bronze medal,” Hughes said.

“We’ve built a huge amount of trust. When I walk into the warm-up room now, I know all I have to do is lift the bar because Gareth has everything else under control.

“He’s such a fierce competitor. He told me yesterday he had a really good feeling about the competition.

“I was trying not to get carried away, but having someone with that belief in you gives you such a massive advantage.”

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