Cochrane proves she can match the world’s best
SHE didn’t get a chance to shine on the world stage at Tokyo but weightlifter Sarah Cochrane has made sure everyone now knows her name after winning silver in Birmingham.
Cochrane, 32, a former crossfitter, took up the sport in 2018 – narrowly missing out on a chance to compete in Tokyo.
Knowing she was unlikely to be able to match it with Olympic champion Maude Charron, Cochrane’s coaching team made some tactical decisions to secure her a silver medal, including lifting a little less than her PB in the clean and jerk.
She started strong, snatching 100kg, the second highest in the competition – setting a Games snatch record along the way, which Charron went on to beat by 1kg in her final lift. Cochrane set a high first lift of 112kg, which she completed without problems.
She looked a little shaky in her second lift of 116kg but after a slight pause, she was able to get the bar well above her head.
After some back and forth with the remaining four competitors over who would be next up, Cochrane stepped up to the bar and loaded up with 118kg.
The crowd was backing her in but Cochrane wasn’t able to get the clean secured – leaving her with the 116kg total and an overall lift of 216kg. Charron blitzed the field with a new Games record of 231kg.
“I know I can perform on those lifts I did today, there is definitely more in the tank,” she said.
“I’m really happy with how things turned out today.
“My coaches did a great job in playing the game with the other lifters. We did what we needed to do and tried to get as far ahead as we could. It worked out well.”
The Rockhampton-based lifter said it was surreal to be going home with a silver medal around her neck.