Guinares bows out with seventh placing

Popular New Zealand weightlifter Ianne Guinares bowed out of big-time weightlifting with a seventh placing in the 62kg division today.

Guinares, 30, lifted a total of 261kg, some distance behind the winner, Muhamad Aznil Bidin of Malaysia, who totalled 288kg.

The New Zealander was consistent throughout.

In the snatch, he attempted 110kg, 114kg and 116kg and achieved each lift. In the clean and jerk, he attempted 140kg, 144kg and 145kg and missed only at 144.

His seventh placing, in a field of 15, was a notable improvement on his 12^th placing in the 2016 Glasgow Commonwealth Games.

Afterwards he left little doubt this was his farewell to international weightlifting.

After his final lift, he took off his boots and put them on the platform, before carrying them out.

Guinares said he might have finished higher, but the struggle to take off enough weight had not been easy. “I could have done better, but it was tough losing the weight.”

He said he had enjoyed his career, but it was time to call it quits.

“I’m very happy,” he said. “It’s a good way for me to go out. I’ve achieved a lot and it’s time for the youngsters to step up and take it to the next level. It’s time for me to be a dad.”