Tue, August 04, 2026
Lithuanian police undertake investigation after a Lithuanian spotter allegedly stated that he intentionally sabotaged a world record attempt because he is racist
Lithuanian police have undertaken a racism investigation after an assistant at the Powerlifting Championships allegedly admitted to sabotaging a black athlete’s world record attempt because he is “racist,” a statement he claimed he made to ridicule racist allegations against him.
The incident occurred at the International Powerlifting Federation (IPF) World Classic Open Powerlifting Championships, which took place from June 13 to June 21, 2026, in Druskininkai, Lithuania. Belgian powerlifter, Sonita Muluh, a black athlete, attempted to achieve a women’s world record, squatting 334.5kg. However, her final attempt was nullified because the barbell came into contact with the leg of Lithuanian spotter, Ernestas Kusinas. A spotter in powerlifting is a safety assistant who watches a lifter, helps un-rack or re-rack heavy bars, and steps in to prevent injury if a lift fails.
Kusinas then allegedly proceeded to take to social media, stating he sabotaged Muluh’s attempt because he is “racist,” and he has since been banned for life by the Lithuanian Powerlifting Federation (LJTF), which the IPF praised for being an “immediate action.”
According to LRT.LT, when questioned why he did not create enough space so that he did not impede the squat attempt, Kusinas allegedly replied saying: “I'm racist and I did it on purpose because I hate you…No one got stuck except for one monkey relative.” He also allegedly commented the number 88 which relates to the slogan “heil Hitler.” These comments were deleted but people have posted what they claim to be screenshots. Pictures of Kusinas allegedly wearing a Nazi eagle badge have also been circulating. The Lithuanian police will reportedly assess Kusinas’ social media activity.
Kusinas told Reuters his Instagram comment was written out of anger, in response to racism accusations, and was intended not as a statement but as a mockery of the accusations.
“I threw him the bone he wanted,” added Kusinas, referring to an unidentified social media user who he said had accused him of racism.
Muluh took to Instagram to express her hurt: “Speechless…I have dealt with racism in numerous ways but never in this manner. I have defended this guy hoping he wouldn't get any hate because I thought it was an honest mistake (cos we all are human) even though I myself was dealing with the frustration and hurt from bombing out of the world championships which also was a consequence of me missing this 3rd squat and losing 13kg and then to now read this from the same person is just heart breaking.”
The IPF has received criticism as some claim that its reaction was too slow. The incident started to receive attention around mid-July after American powerlifter, Joe Sullivan, drew attention to it on social media, and the federation issued a statement on 28 July which stated that: “The IPF will coordinate with the relevant IPF Commissions, the IPF Safeguarding Officer, and the IPF Championships Team to identify opportunities to strengthen the recruitment, screening, accreditation, and oversight of volunteers supporting IPF events.”
LJTF president, Domantas Barauskas, told LRT.LT that he spoke with Kusinas: “I spoke to him. He explained that he reacted that way because he couldn't cope with the pressure on social media and started saying those kinds of things.”
Barauskas continued: “He has volunteered as a spotter at our championships for several years, and it never crossed anyone's mind that something like this could happen or that he held such views…
What's more, we hosted the same World Championships in 2024, and the same Belgian athlete competed. If you watch the footage from then, you'll see him encouraging and supporting her. That's why what happened came as a complete shock to us.”
