Weightlifting is on track with competitions underway in preparations for the upcoming Pacific games in Honiara, Solomon Islands as well as other 2023 weightlifting competitions.
This has seen weightlifters from Loa Dika Toua (LDT) and Hanuabada Clubs competed at the humble yet PNG’s pride and homegrown gym of big-name gold medalist Dika Toua in Hanuabada Village, Port Moresby on Saturday.
It saw a total of about 30+ weightlifters strived in the Email League Premier Tournament. Participants were from Mens and Womens development squads and Team PNG Squads contending in their different weight categories in three different sessions ranging from 45Kg to the maximum of 85Kg and above. They competed for a spot in the Medal Qualifying Tally (MQT) as well as in preparation for the Pacific Games.
Hanuabada Club Coach Gari Taravatu is confident of his athletes and encouraged them to reach and maintain their performances in the MQT. He is hopeful that PNG OC supports them.
“Most of the athletes are hard at training and most of them have met their Medal Qualifying Tally (MQT) and as a coach, my encouragement to the athletes especially is to reach MQTs,” commented Hanuabada Club Coach Gari Taravatu.
“Hopefully PNG OC will support us,” Coach Taravatu.
added.
Meanwhile, performing well in the 45Kg female weight category from Hanuabada Club is 16 years old Bede Dorothy Igo while in the male 55KG is 25 years old Scofield Sinaka.
The event also saw Olympic and Commonwealth weightlifters Dika Toua and Morea Baru competed in their respective categories.
Officiating at the Competition were PNG Olympic Committees representative Team PNG Performance Manager Desmond Kaviagu and Team PNG Games Coordinator Christabella Amona as well as weightlifting team executives in the likes of Head Coach Willie Mavara Tamasi, Assistant Coach Gavera Morea, Secretary Mens Team Manager Kila Mala and others.
They will have another training camp and a Club competition in September.
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