PNG weightlifters return home

PACIFIC Games gold medallists Dika Toua and Morea Baru returned to Port Moresby yesterday after spending more than a month in lockdown in Noumea, New Caledonia.
The pair were based at the Oceania Weightlifting Institute where they had been training for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
But with Olympics now postponed to next year and New Caledonia facing Covid-19 restrictions, the institute closed its doors and allowed weightlifters from around the Pacific to return home.
Toua and Baru were the last lifters to leave after receiving approval from the Australian and PNG governments to travel home.
Papua New Guinea Olympic Committee president Sir John Dawanincura said he was pleased to have the pair back in the country.
“Now both lifters are happy to be back home and are looking forward to completing the 14-day self-isolation period so they can be re-united with their families,” said Sir John, who is also the president of the PNG Weightlifting Federation.
“We thank everyone who has been involved in facilitating their return home.”
Despite not being based at the institute for what looks like an extended period, Toua and Baru will be continuing their training programmes in Port Moresby.
Both lifters were on track for Olympic qualification before the deferral of the Games in response to the pandemic. With the Games taking place from July 23 to Aug 8 next year, the lifters are focused on not letting the current circumstances affect their Olympic aspirations.
Toua, who has established her own weightlifting club at her native Hanuabada village, is looking to become the first weightlifter to compete at five Olympic Games.
Meanwhile, Baru continues to maintain his strong form after finishing sixth at the Rio Olympics in 2016.