Wght: Phillips fourth in Games debut

00-00-0000
Wght: Phillips fourth in Games debut

MANCHESTER, Aug 2 AAP - Australian weightlifter Amanda Phillips just missed out ona medal, finishing fourth overall in her weight division at the Commonwealth Games.

The 22-year-old Queenslander finished behind a mother, a 16-year-old and a Cameroonstrongwoman who lifted 130 kilograms.

Phillips snatched 82.5 kilograms in the up to 69kg class, well behind triple gold medallistMadeleine Yamechi from Cameroon who lifted 100kg in the snatch.

The University of Queensland science student then lifted 107.5kg in the clean and jerkto again finish in fourth place and cement her overall position at fourth with a totalof 190kg.

Yamechi, 20, needed only two lifts in the clean and jerk to reach 130kg ahead of silvermedallist Indian Neelam Sethi Laxmi (110kg), who made her return to the sport followinga two-year break after giving birth.

Laxmi also won silver in the snatch with a lift of 95kg while 16-year-old Sheba Deirerageafrom Nauru collected three bronze medals with 90kg in the snatch and 110kg in the cleanand jerk for an overall total of 200kg.

Yamechi's total was 230kg while 29-year-old Laxmi managed a combined effort of 205kg.

Women's weightlifting is being held at the Commonwealth Games for the first time in Manchester.

AAP sm/sl

KEYWORD: GAMES WGHT 69W LEAD