# Racist Spotter Admits Interfering With Muluh’s Record Squat Attempt 2026-08-06T14:45:24+00:00 | Sports | Indian Opinion Desk Corroboration: 1 independent outlet Belgian powerlifter Sonita Muluh’s 334.5kg squat attempt at the 2026 World Powerlifting Championships in Lithuania was ruled unsuccessful after spotter Ernestas Kusinas touched the bar with his knee. Five weeks later, a deleted Instagram post attributed to Kusinas appeared to say he interfered deliberately because he was racist. The post led to a criminal investigation in Lithuania and disciplinary action, including a lifetime ban, by the Lithuanian Powerlifting Federation. Kusinas told Reuters the post was sarcasm written in anger after an accusation of racism. He also said fatigue caused accidental interference with several athletes. Muluh told BBC Sport she felt unsafe and believed the federation had failed to protect competitors. Police are examining both the post and the competition incident. The alleged offence carries a maximum two-year prison term. ## Coverage - timesofindia.indiatimes.com Tags: athlete safety, Lithuania, powerlifting, racism, Sonita Muluh Canonical: https://indianopinion.org/racist-spotter-admits-interfering-with-muluhs-record-squat-attempt/ License: Summary and commentary (c) Indian Opinion, reusable with attribution. Facts belong to the linked sources. Cite: https://indianopinion.org/racist-spotter-admits-interfering-with-muluhs-record-squat-attempt/#story-in-brief Review state: restored archive article, accurate at time of publication, not offered to search indexes.