LIGHT TIMES AHEAD OF HEAVY SCENE AT HOME

AN under-fire Canadian weightlifter has celebrated his Commonwealth Games silver on the Surfers Paradise party strip despite a hit-and-run rap and questions about his eligibility to compete.

Boady Santavy (above, far right), with his silver medal swinging around his neck, was enjoying a night out down Cavill Mall late on Sunday.

A relaxed Santavy told ATG he was loving the Gold Coast people and weather but it would probably be a frosty reception when he left on Tuesday to return to Canada.

He was allowed to compete at the Games despite two weeks earlier being charged after a March 18 hitand-run in Canada. It left 29-year-old Nicholas Emmerson Andali in a serious condition.

Mr Andali reportedly suffered a broken shoulder blade, clavicle, lacerated spleen and brain bleeding. His family have told Canadian media Mr Andali is home now but faces an uncertain future and is unable to walk or shower unassisted.

Santavy is scheduled to appear in court on April 24 on a charge of leaving the scene of a crash, reportedly turning himself in 36 hours after it happened.

Despite the drama awaiting him at home, Santavy was soaking up the Gold Coast when ATG caught up with him at Kitty O’Shea’s Irish bar in Surfers just before midnight.

He said it was in the top three places he’d travelled and he was keen to check out the night-life.

“I heard it is pretty amazing,” he said. “I’ll be sad to leave the Gold Coast. I was shocked at how awesome, fun and really nice people are here. I want to come back as soon as I can.”

Santavy was with Edmon Avetisyan, of England, who finished fourth in the same 94kg weight division, and a group of girls who called themselves “the WAGS”.

A man believed to be Santavy’s coach and father repeatedly told Santavy not to talk to ATG but Santavy waved him away.

Asked yesterday about Santavy competing given the court charge, Commonwealth Games Federation CEO David Grevemberg said: “We worked very closely with IAF regarding his eligibility but there was no legal basis to disqualify him from competing.”