During an equipment fault, who has the discretion to pause or retake the attempt?

• A. The lifter
• B. The Head Referee
• C. The Chief Referee
• D. The coach

Answer: (C)

Discretion in equipment faults sits with the Chief Referee, who oversees safety and fairness on the platform. When gear malfunctions, that fault is outside the lifter’s control, so the official responsible for rule enforcement must decide how to proceed. The Chief Referee can pause the attempt to assess the situation, verify the fault, and determine whether a reattempt is needed to ensure the lift is performed under proper conditions. This authority helps protect both the lifter and the integrity of the competition, since continuing with faulty equipment could create an unsafe or unfair lift. The lifter and coach follow the official’s instructions and cannot unilaterally demand a pause or retake.