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Silver for weightlifter

Saturday 9 October 2010, 9:45AM

By New Zealand Olympic Committee

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Richard Patterson continued New Zealand’s medal rush today by claiming a silver medal in the 85kg class at the weightlifting.


The Aucklander achieved a total of 331kg, which left him just behind gold medallist Simplice Ribouem of Australia, and well clear of bronze medallist Mathieu Marineau of Canada.


The 20 lifters were split into two divisions, with Patterson in the A group.


In the snatch he achieved all three of his attempts, at 142kg, 146kg and 150kg, which left him tied for the lead (and with a lighter bodyweight if it came to a countback) with Ribouem.


However, in the clean and jerk, Patterson missed his first attempt, at 181kg. He got it second time around and then missed with 189kg, which would have given him the gold if he’d been able to manage it.


Patterson, 27, finished fourth in the weightlifting at the Melbourne Commonwealth Games four years ago, so today’s silver was sweet recompense.