PNG can only qualify two weightlifters for Rio Olympics

Papua New Guinea can only have a maximum one male and one female to represent the country at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

This will be determined at the 2016 Oceania Championships at Fiji in May which is the Olympic qualifier for Rio Games.

Oceania Weightlifting Federation general secretary and regional coach Paul Coffa said no one so far from PNG has qualified on their own merit for the Olympics.  

Coffa said although he is very confident that Morea Baru will do so prior to the Oceania Championships and Olympic Qualification event in Suva, Fiji.

Baru won a gold medal in the 62 kg category at the recent 2015 Pacific Games lifting 121kg snatch.

He said PNG men’s team must finish in the top five to qualify one lifter while the women team must finish in the top four to qualify one lifter at the Oceania Championships.

Coffa highlighted that if PNG qualifies one lifter in the men in Fiji, then it does not matter if Morea qualifies on his own merit as his qualification will not count. 

Up to 24 nations will be competing in this Olympic qualifying event, tied in with Oceania events. 

Author: 
Quintina Naime