Weightlifting

Opeloge was upgraded from fourth to second place in the women's over 75kg division at the 2008 Beijing Games, after a reanalysis of samples found the silver and bronze medallists tested positive for banned substances.

Samoa Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi has said the Government only offers monetary awards for gold medal winners.

But the Editor of the Samoa Observer, Mata'afa Keni Lesa, said there had been a massive outcry over the decision.

RNZI reports five countries qualified for the Rio Games at the Oceania Weightlifting Championships, which wrapped up in Suva at the weekend.

Samoa's haul of four gold, eight silver and four bronze medals helped them finish as the top-ranked men's team, despite Papua New Guinea topping the gold medal count with five.

New Zealand, Australia, Fiji and Kiribati also qualified a male lifter for Rio.

Cameroon Valdi Ahmed Njoya scooped the gold, Pakistan’s  Abdur Rehman taking silver and Opeloge settled for bronze.

Opeloge’s best in the Snatch was 96kg while his Clean & Jerk total points were  122kg. He received 218  as his final points.

Don nephew is a the youngest of the Opeloge family with two older brothers and sisters Ele and Mary Opeloge who have all represented and won medals for Samoa in the sport. Don said that he only started lifting weights this year and because his family is so involved in the weightlifting, he gave it a try.

Carlo in his report to the Pacific Games Council (PGC) Annual General Meeting in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea yesterday said swimming one of the major attractions at any Pacific or Oceania meet is not on the programme.

“We had discussions with the Pacific Games Council executives on deleting swimming, there’s also a big question mark on  weightlifting because you know the small countries would like to have weightlifting because its their medal winning event.”

Two more gold medals are on offer in the 105kg division in the Pacific Games weightlifting final day.

Zac Gregurevic (Australia) won silver and Rory Taylor (New Zealand) settled for bronze in the snatch.

PNG lone entrant Geshe Heni managed to lift only 80kg in the snatch. 

Competition will be held at the PNG Power Dome (SJGS indoor complex) starting in few minutes.

The 69kg men's finals start proceeding.

PNG lifters participating are Nou Puka, Samuel Judah and Stalin.

People are still coming in the weightlifting venue, with security tight doing their check on all spectators, athletes and officials bags.