Mark Swan of England secured the first gold medal of the Commonwealth Games in a nail-biting finish during the men’s lightweight para powerlifting competition. The 25-year-old lifted an impressive 222kg, more than three times his body weight, and ended up tied on points with Nigeria’s Roland Ezuruike, both scoring 153.9 points after their second lifts.

I thought I got bronze... they just kept telling me ‘Mark, you’ve won.’ I thought they were winding me up. It still hasn’t sunk in,” he remarked.

Bonnie Bunyau Gustin* of Malaysia, a two-time Paralympic champion and defending Commonwealth champion, took home the bronze, finishing just 0.4 points shy of the leaders. Swan also attempted a world record-equalling lift of 232kg, which was controversially ruled out, leading to confusion before officials confirmed his gold medal.

“This is just the start. My ambition is to become a Paralympic gold medallist and a world record-holder,” Swan stated, reflecting on his rigorous training leading up to the Games.

Swan acknowledged the significance of his gold medal for Team England, stating, “Being the first gold medal for Team England is massive. It’s a really big achievement.” Fellow para powerlifter Liam McGarry, unable to compete due to health issues, was a loud supporter during the event.

Finlay Davidson* from Scotland also made a mark with a commendable fifth-place finish in his Commonwealth debut, lifting 166kg despite a recent injury. He humorously acknowledged Swan's victory while expressing pride in their shared sport.

Overall, Swan's triumph not only marks a personal achievement but also sets a motivational precedent for his teammates and the broader English team at the Games.