Harabe sets eye on Olympic Games

TIMOTHY Harabe, 35, is aiming to do well at the paralympic power lifting championship and qualify for the 2012 London Olympic Games.
The paralympic power lifting championships to be held in Kuala Lumpur from Feb 5-7 is Harabe’s only chance to win a spot for next year’s Olympic Games.
Coach Jeffery Robby said yesterday it would be the Southern Highlander’s second time to participate at the international championships.
He said Harabe finished 14 out of 24 power lifters in his first international outing and must improve that ranking to qualify.
“Timothy must finish strongly, possibly in the top 10 if he has any chance of qualifying for the Olympics.
“(However) I am positive he can do it because he is the only paralympic power lifter in PNG who can bench press the heaviest (180kg) compared to able body power lifters.
“With that kind of commitment from Timothy we are looking good to qualify and I am confident of a top 10 finish,” Robby said.  
If Harabe qualifies he will be the second PNG paralympian to take in the Olympic after Francis Kompaon who won a silver medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics in the 100m sprint T46 category.
Robby said he had put together a training camp which started last month but Harabe who was training in Lae flew over later to join the camp.
“We have been training throughout the Christmas break and will do the same in the New Year.
“Our preparations are on track and we know there will be a lot of stiff competition from the other countries.
“But we are positive of getting a good result,” Robby said.
Robby thanked the PNG Paralympic Committee and Air Niugini for sponsoring his expenses for the trip.
He is appealing to other business houses for support.
Robby said those willing to sponsor should call the PNG Paralympic Committee office on 311 3306.
The two-man PNG team consisting of Robby and Harabe will leave for Kuala Lumpur on Feb 2.