Richie Patterson reacts after being eliminated. Photo / Photosport
Richie Patterson reacts after being eliminated. Photo / Photosport
Richie Patterson's dream of claiming a third medal at his New Zealand record fourth Commonwealth Games came to a halt in the snatch phase of the 85kg weightlifting division.
The 34-year-old entered the competition at 143kg on the Gold Coast, but failed each of his three attempts.
Athletes cannot advanceto the clean and jerk round if they fail to make a snatch.
Patterson cut a distraught figure in the corridor afterwards. He was consoled by wife Pip, who he coached to sixth in the 53kg division on Friday.
Their family had got the pair's two-year-old son Cooper out of bed to come and watch Dad compete on the international stage.
Speaking to the Herald, Patterson said he was retiring after a career extending more than 12 years at elite level. He will continue in coaching and administration because "you can't walk away if it's in your blood".
"It's not the best way to go out. I'm so gutted this is how it's ended," Patterson said.
"But it's amazing I've had the opportunity to come to four Commonwealth Games. It's kind of unheard of as a weightlifter. I've been lifting for 20 years this month, it's special.
"I'm proud of what I've achieved and the highlight will always be that Glasgow gold medal. I set out to put my name next to other Commonwealth champions like Precious McKenzie, Don Oliver, Tony Ebert and Graham May."
Richie Patterson reacts after being eliminated. Photo / Photosport
Patterson said they warmed up well out back.
"It was probably my best in a long time - and I was being conservative to come in under the 145kg lifters - but it's like a golf swing, if it doesn't connect right it goes forward or backwards.
"I feel like I'm at a cycling race and fell off my bike at the start."
Patterson entered to raucous applause on each occasion, courtesy of a strong Kiwi element in the crowd, but the bar was beyond his abilities.
On the first attempt he followed Boris Elesin of Australia. When the local came to his next lift he opted to move up a weight. That meant Patterson faced successive lifts.
After the last effort, Patterson held his head in his hands for a moment before exiting the stage for the final time.
India's Venkat Rahul Ragala won the event with a combined lift of 338kg, made up of a 151kg snatch and 187kg clean and jerk.
