Flag on the Play: The IPF Failed Sonita Muluh Before She Ever Touched the Bar

By Donji Young

At the 2026 IPF World Classic Open Powerlifting Championships in Lithuania, Cameroon's Sonita Muluh stepped onto the platform with an opportunity to accomplish what very few athletes ever do, break a world record on the biggest stage in her sport.

Years of training, countless hours in the gym, and immeasurable personal sacrifice had led to that single moment. Unfortunately, the outcome of that moment was not determined solely by the weight on the bar. Instead, it was influenced by someone whose only responsibility was to ensure the athlete's safety.

Volunteer spotter Ernestas Kusinas intentionally interfered with Muluh's third squat attempt, costing her a legitimate opportunity to break the women's world squat record. If that alone wasn't disturbing enough, Kusinas later posted racist comments online admitting that he intentionally interfered with Muluh's lift because she is Black.

This was not simply unsportsmanlike conduct. It was dangerous.

Spotters exist for one reason: to protect athletes. They are not participants in the competition, nor should they ever influence its outcome. During a maximal squat attempt, an athlete has hundreds of pounds resting across their shoulders. One intentional action, one poor decision, or one moment of interference can result in catastrophic injury.

Thankfully, the powerlifting community responded decisively. Kusinas was permanently banned from all activities under the Lithuanian Powerlifting Federation, while the International Powerlifting Federation publicly condemned his conduct and announced plans to strengthen its volunteer screening procedures. 

Those actions were necessary. But they also raise an important question.

If this was not the first time concerns had been raised about Kusinas, why was he allowed to stand on the platform during the most prestigious competition in powerlifting?

Sports organizations do more than organize events and award medals. Their first responsibility is protecting the athletes who place their trust in them. Once an organization knows, or reasonably should know, that an individual poses a risk to competitors, failing to act makes the organization part of the problem.

The IPF has pledged to improve its screening process, and that is certainly a step in the right direction. However, those safeguards should have existed before an athlete lost a legitimate opportunity to make history, not after. The only thing standing between an athlete and greatness should be the weight they are attempting to lift. Never the person assigned to protect them.

The International Powerlifting Federation deserves credit for taking disciplinary action after the incident. However, accountability cannot stop with the punishment of one individual. Organizations must also accept responsibility when their own oversight fails. Athlete safety is not optional. It is the foundation of fair competition. When that responsibility is neglected, the athletes are the ones who pay the price.

Flag on the Play: The International Powerlifting Federation failed to properly screen the individuals entrusted with athlete safety, allowing someone with no business standing on that platform to come between an athlete and a place in history.