Shattered Napper hopes taking baby steps will give her a huge lift

A DEVASTATED Tegan Napper will take a break from weightlifting to start a family but still has unfinished business after an off day left the Australian well short of a Games medal.

The pocket-sized geologist from the Gold Coast was considered a decent chance to go one better than in Glasgow four years ago, when she placed fourth in the 48kg class.

But Napper, who stepped up to the 53kg division for her second Games, managed only two successful lifts from six at- tempts at Carrara Sport Centre yesterday, an effort good enough for eighth place.

Her snatch of 75kg and clean and jerk of 91kg, for a total of 166kg, was nowhere near Indian gold medallist Sanjita Chanu, who snatched a Games-record 84kg and clean and jerked 108kg.

The 31-year-old struggled to hold back tears as she came to terms with her failed attempts to clean and jerk 94kg and 95kg in front of vocal home supporters wearing “Team Napper” shirts.

“I think I’m still in shock actually,” Napper said.

“I’ve been hitting those numbers very consistently in the last couple of weeks building up. It just wasn’t my day today.”

Asked what she’d do now, Napper simply said “babies” with partner and coach Rob Galsworthy. But that doesn’t mean retirement.

“I’m not quitting,” she said.

“You never know. I’m not that old – I can have a baby and keep going if I want to.

“This isn’t really how I wanted to finish it so I think maybe I’ll keep going.”

Chanu’s combined 192kg was 10kg clear of Papua New Guinean silver medallist Dika Toua (182kg), while Rachel LeBlanc-Bazinet (181kg) of Canada claimed bronze.

Australian debutant Brandon Wakeling placed seventh in the men’s 69kg, lifting a total 275kg.