Two lifters confirmed for Rio

By Deidre Fanene 03 June 2016, 12:00AM

Samoa Weightlifting Federation has confirmed two of their lifters to represent Samoa at The Rio Olympics in Brazil later this year.

They are Mary Opeloge and Nevo Ioane.

 The selection of the two was based on their world rankings said the President and Head Coach of the Samoa Weightlifting Federation Tuaopepe Jerry Wallwork.

 “The federation’s decision will be based on the lifter’s world rankings,” said Tuaopepe.

“Their Oceania Champion performance will also be included but I reckon it will be mostly on their world ranking because it is an Olympic games and we don’t want to take anyone who is ranked on the top 30.

“We want to take lifters that are close to the top 10 or in the top 10 because that will give us the chance to fight for a gold medal.”

The head coach went on to say that they only have two months left for the Rio Olympics and preparations starts now.

“All the other competitions is done and dusted and this is the most important competition so we have no time to waste,” he said.

“The trainings will be extra hard and strict because we want to be on the top ten of the world and so we are preparing for this big event straight away.”

Ask about what should be expected Tuao said he expects them to get medals but at the end of the day it will be up to his lifters.

“They can do it because they are our top lifters but it will be up to their performance and how they will lift but I have confidence in them that they will do well at the Rio,” he said.

“It won’t be easy because there will be a lot of good lifters from all over the world that our lifters will have to compete with but with God’s help all will go well.”

Samoa Weightlifting Federation is the only sport in Samoa to be confirmed qualified at the Rio based on their merits.

-AP

By Deidre Fanene 03 June 2016, 12:00AM
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