The troubling incident came to light after the Lithuanian Powerlifting Federation reviewed video recordings and referred the case to law enforcement following an Instagram comment by Kusinas where he wrote that he acted intentionally out of racism. While Kusinas later told news outlets that his comment was intended as a sarcastic response to online accusations rather than a genuine admission, sports authorities took immediate disciplinary action by barring him from all competitions. The case has sparked international condemnation from powerlifting organizations and raised serious concerns regarding athlete safety during high-stakes championship attempts.
Police Launch Formal Probe Into Instagram Comment and Event Actions
Lithuanian law enforcement officially opened an investigation on Monday to examine the circumstances surrounding the June championship incident in Vilnius. A police spokesperson confirmed that investigators will focus on the social media post published by Ernestas Kusinas as well as the physical events that occurred on the competition floor.
Under national legislation, the investigation addresses potential racial discrimination and public conduct, carrying a potential sentence of up to two years in prison upon conviction. Authorities are actively reviewing digital evidence and gathering statements from organizers to determine if criminal charges are warranted.
Assistant Claims Interference Was Fatigue-Related and Comment Was Mockery
Addressing the allegations, spotter Ernestas Kusinas stated that his Instagram comment reading, “I am racist, and I did it intentionally,” was written out of anger in response to online harassment. He explained that the post was not a serious admission, but rather an attempt to mock an unidentified social media user who had previously accused him of racial bias.
Kusinas maintained that he unintentionally interfered with Sonita Muluh’s squat attempt, as well as those of other competitors, due to severe physical exhaustion from his spotting duties during the tournament. He claimed that fatigue compromised his reaction time and positioning on the platform rather than any deliberate malice.
Video Review Reveals Widespread Platform Interference Missed by Judges
Lithuanian Powerlifting Federation president Domantas Barauskas confirmed that event judges initially missed the physical interference while the competition was underway. The situation was only discovered after organizers thoroughly reviewed recorded video footage following the conclusion of the event.
Barauskas noted that the footage showed Kusinas, a veteran spotter, interfering with multiple athletes’ squat attempts during the championships. Among those impacted was a white Swedish powerlifter, suggesting that the assistant’s improper positioning affected several competitors beyond the main incident.
Governing Bodies Issue Sanctions and Condemn Discriminatory Conduct
In response to the video findings and social media comments, the Lithuanian Powerlifting Federation permanently banned Kusinas from participating in any future events under its jurisdiction. The national federation promptly handed over all relevant evidence and video files to police authorities for formal criminal evaluation.
Concurrently, the International Powerlifting Federation issued an official statement condemning racism, hatred, and unsupportive behavior on the competition platform. The global body reiterated its commitment to maintaining a safe, fair, and inclusive environment for all international powerlifters.
World Champion’s Team Highlights Safety Risks and Welcomes Legal Steps
Sonita Muluh, a twenty-nine-year-old Cameroon-born Belgian powerlifter who won the world championship in 2024, welcomed the opening of the Lithuanian police investigation. Her partner, Kristof De Coninck, emphasized that improper spotting assistance created extreme physical danger, exposing the athlete to potential severe injury during a heavy lift.
De Coninck stated that while they initially believed the failed three hundred thirty-four point five kilogram attempt was a technical mistake, the assistant’s subsequent social media comment pointed toward deliberate racial bias. He added that Muluh is currently preparing a formal internal complaint with the International Powerlifting Federation, noting that Kusinas made no attempt to contact them following the championship.
