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Kiwi weightlifter David Liti sets sights on repeating golden heroics at LA Olympics
Sport Nation • September 2nd, 2026 8:05 am
David Liti wins the weightlifting gold at the 2026 Glasgow Commonwealth Games | Photo: Jayne Russell/Photosport
New Zealand weightlifting star David Liti has his sights firmly set on the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics after making history at the Commonwealth Games.
Liti claimed his second Commonwealth Games gold medal, becoming the first New Zealander to win gold at two different editions of the Games and the first Kiwi to podium at three.
“I feel like it's been such a massive goal of mine to have two winnings, you know, three different Commonwealth Games, a medal at three different Commonwealth Games,” Liti said.
“Just being a little bit older now, the body hurts sometimes and just want to get home and do nothing for a little bit, so it was good to come home and take a week off.”
The achievement was made even more special by the presence of his long-time coach Tina Ball, who has been alongside Liti since the beginning of his weightlifting journey.
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Ball's emotional reaction after Liti secured gold was another highlight for the weightlifter, who first met his coach 12 years ago.
“I met her through a school programme that she ran through my high school that did weightlifting for free,” Liti said.
“I've been stuck into weightlifting since then and haven't looked back since.”
Liti said Ball's influence extends well beyond weightlifting and has inspired his desire to work with young people himself.
“The reason why I want to get into the space of helping the troubled youth or the school kids is because of her,” he said.
“If it wasn't for her help back when I was in high school, giving us a safe space to come in and train at, and a free gym membership, and even sometimes she'll bring us food because she'll know that we haven't eaten at school.”
“Is a big part of why I want to get into sports development, especially here in South Auckland.”
Despite his Commonwealth Games success, Liti says life quickly returns to normal after the medals and celebrations.
His next target, however, is anything but ordinary.
“Next goal is to get to the Olympics,” Liti said.
“We've got our first qualifier for the Olympics in 10 weeks and I have to do six competitions within the next two years to get into LA 28, so that's the big goal for now.”
Listen to the full interview below:
