Weightlifters

The success of Don Opeloge and Feagaiga Stowers, who have not been able to compete overseas for more than two years, helps to keep Samoa’s team on course for a record-breaking medal haul at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, due to take place in July and August.

Opeloge and Stowers won the best lifter awards at the Oceania Weightlifting Federation (OWF) Online Cup, a remarkable achievement given that they have been unable to take part in live competitions for so long.

But after a final day flourish that included gold medals for Sanele Mao and Feagaiga Stowers, and a silver from Lauititi Lui he said "four out of six ain't bad".

"I know it was a drama with Lauititi's knee but we're thankful that it has ended with some results, some medals. We were aiming for medals and I think we were too much aiming for gold medals - and we sort of forgot along the line that we needed to secure the medals - but I can't deny that these guys have really put in a great effort.

This will only become a reality as long as they train and attend competitions to meet the minimum qualification standards.

That includes top athletes and 2014 Commonwealth Games gold medalist Dika Toua and Steven Kari who missed out on the recent Rio Olympics.

This is the word from Papua New Guinea Weightlifting President Sir John Dawaninicura in an interview with Loop PNG news yesterday (Saturday) in Lae.