Gareth Evans broke the British record in Coventry to lead the way as Welsh weightlifters sharpened up for the Commonwealth Championships in Samoa next month.

Wales’ Commonwealth Games champion produced a snatch of 131kg to claim the record with his combined total of 286kg also a new British best in the 73kg category.

The 33-year-old set a new record of 128kg in the snatch, saw it broken by British rival Allan King who lifted 130kg but responded with the new best of 131kg with his next attempt.

Evans will drop to his natural weight of 67kg for the Commonwealth Champs in Samoa where he is set to face severeal of the rivals who he stunned to take gold in Australia last year.

The Holyhead-based powerhouse’s display saw his win another British title at the Ricoh Arena as well as finish second in the International Open competition behind Petr Petrov (295kg) of the Czech Republic.

Wales had a strong entry at the event as they looked to test out their form ahead of the trip to Samoa for the Commonwealths on July 8-13 after a training stint in New Zealand.

Training partner Hannah Powell took the bronze medal in both the British and International Open with a combined total of 151kg.

The 26-year-old ‘Mighty Atom’ will compete in the 45kg category in Samoa where she has an excellent chance of returning with a medal.

http://twitter.com/hannahpowell92/status/1137091273809104904

Catrin Jones was also in record breaking form at the weekend.

The Bangor University student set British Under 20 records with a clean and jerk of 96kg and a total of 169kg.

And Ellie Pryor ended her competition with six successful lists out of six with personal bests of 68kg in the snatch and 88kg in the clean and jerk to give her confidence a boost ahead of the trip to Samoa.

National coach Ray Williams said: “It was a very good weekend for the Welsh weightlifters and sees them well-prepared for this year’s major event in Samoa.”