Canadian weightlifter Andrew Pretty expressed his satisfaction after winning a bronze medal in the 96kg senior men’s category at the Commonwealth Weightlifting Championship held at the Vodafone Arena in Suva. Despite his less than ideal preparation for the competition, Pretty was pleased with his performance, stating it exceeded his expectations.
He dedicated his achievement to his wife, Deagan Pretty, and shared that his experience in Fiji was remarkable, marking his first trip to the island nation. Pretty described Fiji as beautiful and praised the friendliness of the locals, expressing a desire to return for a vacation.
He also acknowledged the invaluable support from his teammates and coaches. Prior to the Commonwealth event, he competed in the senior nationals in Canada and plans to participate again in May next year, with a focus on improving his hip health.
Inspired by his first coach to take up weightlifting, Pretty noted the importance of youth participation in the sport, emphasizing that while it can be challenging, perseverance is key to success.