Weightlifting Fiji’s president Atma Maharaj is asking the public to head down in numbers to the Oceania Weightlifting Championship at the Vodafone Arena to support our athletes.

Maharaj confirmed yesterday within two days, Team Fiji scooped five gold medals and would need the support of the public.

“We just want the public to come and support the Fiji team,” he said.

“We’ve had five schools in here today and more are coming in on Friday. All of that is helping our athletes.”

He said the team would really need the support from the people.

“Not only should they come and watch but also learn more about the sport as weightlifting is a foundation sport for all sports,” Maharaj said.

As there may have been confusion from the public about the qualifying event, Maharaj also clarified the difference between the Oceania Championship and qualifying event to the Olympics.’

“There are two categories, the men’s and the women’s.

“For the men, everybody who competes in the senior, junior and youths categories are taking part in the Oceania games but for Rio qualifications,  the only points that will be counted is the senior’s event,” he said.

He added: “Everyone who competes in the senior events will score points.

“Those score will be added together but only the best four people in the women, and best six in the men.

“Gold medals in Oceania don’t count for Rio as it is simply with the points,” he said.

Maharaj said the competition is wide open at the moment, with different countries doing well in different divisions.

“So far all the lifters are performing up to expectation that we’ve met so we are advising people to come on down,” he said.

Edited by Leone Cabenatabua

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