Coleg Menai student strikes silver in Commonwealth Weightlifting Championships

Coleg Menai student Cian Green secured a silver medal for Wales in the Commonwealth Weightlifting Championships in India.

The 19-year-old, from Nantlle near Penygroes, is now targeting the 2026 Commonwealth Games after equalling his personal bests in both the snatch and the clean-and-jerk.

Reigning Welsh champion Cian lifted 108kg in the snatch, and 137kg in the clean-and-jerk, to finish an impressive second in the junior men’s 73kg category on Friday, behind the Sri Lankan winner.

The Level 3 Welding and Fabrication student says his podium place is a huge step forward towards representing Wales in 2026.

He said: “I’m more than happy, it’s bonkers. I knew the chance of a medal was there, I just had to see what was going to happen.

“My coach said when you go to an international like this it’s about getting in the medals rather than getting a PB, and we’ve achieved that.

“There’s a pathway to selection for the Commonwealth Games. It’s based on who can make the totals, what your best lifts are, and how you often you medal at Championships or place in good positions over the years leading up to the Games.

“I’m on track for it at the moment, so it’s really positive.”

While he has the Commonwealth Games in his sights, in the shorter term Cian is targeting the British Championships in Manchester on August 5.

He will also represent Wales in the Celtic Nations competition in Ireland in October.

Alongside his studies at Coleg Menai in Llangefni, Cian works as a welder for Castle Marine Ltd, a boat propellor repair business in Caernarfon.

He said: “The college and my work have been great with my weightlifting. All the tutors have been asking how it’s going, and my boss has been really good with letting me have the time off.”