Codes give Rio updates

 By FRANCIS RODNEY PULU

COACHES and administrators of seven sports bidding to qualify for the Rio Olympics gave the media an update on their athletes’ progress last Friday in Port Moresby. 

The event was organised by PNG Olympic Committee, with only four out of the seven sports nominated in attendance — swimming, boxing, weightlifting and shooting.

Athletics, taekwondo and judo did not attend.

Important factors emphasised by the coaches and administrators were the need to attend events to qualify and the criteria used. 

Swimming PNG president Elizabeth Wells  said they had selected four athletes, with  the notable inclusion of Ryan Pini, who  qualified in the B-qualifier in Brisbane early this year.

She said Pini would be trying to qualify in the A-qualifier, while the other three would be doing their best to secure their spots.

In boxing, national coach Joe Aufa named his four male fighters for Rio.

The four would be attending some international competitions to qualify.

A likely medal contender among the four is 17-year-old Thaddeus Katoa from Bougainville, who won gold during the Youth Olympic Games in Samoa last year.

In shooting, president Mel Donald said they had selected five shooters to bid for qualification. 

She said out of the five, the focus was on newcomer Tania Mairi Mahuru, who won gold during the Pacific Games..

In weightlifting, PNG Weightlifting Federation president Sir John Dawanincura said only senior male lifter Morea Baru had qualified in the 62kg, while the others were yet to meet the minimum requirements.

The athletes were preparing to attend the Oceania Championship in Fiji from May 21-25.

Samantha Kassman and her nephew Max qualified for taekwondo during last weekend’s Oceania Taekwondo Championships.

Athletics had its athletes training overseas to qualify from there.

Chef de Mission Emma Waiwai said from the Pacific Games experience, they want to send the best of the best to Rio.