Sir John challenges lifters

By HENRY MORABANG
THE country’s top weightlifters are challenged to qualify on merit for next year Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast, Australia.
This challenge comes on the back of their own sacrifices and the support from Trukai Industries, the PNG Olympic Committee and their coach Paul Coffa.
The PNG Weightlifting Federation extended its gratitude to Trukai Industries chief executive officer Greg Worthington-Eyre for sponsoring five of six athletes to the Oceania Weightlifting Institute in Noumea.
The federation also thanked the PNGOC for allocating K70,000.
President Sir John Dawanincura, pictured, said according to new quota rules, it would be one athlete per weight category per country attending the Commonwealth Games.
“Basically all lifters in the Commonwealth must qualify on merit for the limited spaces,” he said.
However, as the host country, Australia will be allowed 16 lifters, one per weight category (eight female and eight male).
PNG elite lifters Dika Toua and Morea Baru are currently ranked number one in their respective categories.
Steven Kari in his second tournament since the 2015 Pacific Games, last weekend totalled 346kg and jumped into second position on the rankings.
Sir John said three lifters Toua, Kari and Baru were ranked in the top three but the federation was encouraging them to better their current performances to secure their respective spots.
With eight months before the Commonwealth Games, Sir John said coach Coffa was happy with their current preparations.
“The training has intensified and our lifters are working overtime to improve their performances before the Commonwealth Games,” he said.
Last week Morea Baru, Toua Udia and Steven Kari, were handling 25 tonnes per day each.
However, the PNG lifters first real test will be during the Oceania and Commonwealth Championships from Sept 5-9 on the Gold Coast. Kari is back after a two-year absence but has produced a silver medal winning performance after only four months in training at the institute.
He is ranked second in the Commonwealth at the moment and that, according to Sir John, is phenomenal.
“Our vision is not only to repeat but to also improve on our success in Glasgow – where PNG won two gold medals,” Sir John said.
“I wish to reiterate that it is only a vision because we just cannot predict what will happen on the respective days of the competition.
“It is a big call for Papua New Guinea lifters but they have all worked hard and will continue to work hard.
“Our lifters who are ranked fourth to sixth in the Commonwealth must aim to be in top three, while those in the top three must aim for number one.
“We are not taking anything for granted,” Sir John said.