Belgian powerlifter Sonita Muluh was attempting a record 334.5kg squat at the Powerlifting Championships in Lithuania in June when Ernestas Kusinas, a spotter, touched the barbell with his knee. The judges disqualified her for a technical infringement, and the lift could not be repeated. The incident later sparked a criminal investigation after Kusinas posted on Instagram, “I am racist, and ⁠I did it intentionally.”

Lithuanian police are investigating the Instagram message, with a maximum penalty of two years in prison. Kusinas received a lifetime ban from the Lithuanian Powerlifting Federation and has since set his social‑media accounts to private. He defended his comment as a reaction to an unnamed accusation, but the federation’s decision was swift.

Muluh said she feels unsafe and that the International Powerlifting Federation failed her. “I hope the IPF does things differently … we have been made to compete in places we didn’t feel welcome,” she told BBC Sport. The IPF condemned racism and pledged to strengthen volunteer screening and athlete safety.

The case highlights ongoing racism in sport and the need for robust safeguards. While some athletes rallied to her support, many prominent figures remained silent. The incident has forced the powerlifting community to confront how minority athletes are treated in international competitions.