Thirty-five athletes will be vying for a spot to compete in the 2019 Weightlifting Fiji National Championships on April 20 at the National Fitness Centre in Suva.

This will be the final trials towards the team selection for the 2019 Pacific Games in Apia, Samoa (July 7-20) and the IWF Junior Championship in Suva (June 1-8).

Speaking to SUNsports yesterday, Fiji Weightlifting coach Henry Elder said preparations are on track for the athletes as they’re anticipating some good performances.

“We will be looking around 35 athletes competing during the final trials,” Elder said.

“Preparations are coming in well as we have athletes representing three clubs one from Suva and two from Serua (Dogowale and Mokosoi).

“We have been monitoring most of the athletes who have been putting in a lot of hard work.

“And there has been a steady improvement in their performance in comparison to all the previous weekly trials we had been conducting.

“We look forward to a lot of athletes meeting the qualifying standard expected of them and as their coach I am very excited.”

Elder also highlighted they have a lot of the young athletes in the extended squad.

“We have field in a very young group who are very new to the competition and the sport itself,” he added

“However, most of them have been involved with the sport for around nine months only while there is only two that have been in the sport for longer than four years.

“A total of 12 to 15 athletes will be shortlisted to make it for the final squad of the 2019 Pacific Games while some young weightlifters will be selected to represent at the IWF Junior Championship on June 1-8 in Suva.

“Also there is likelihood that some of these young athletes competing in the IWF Junior Championship will also compete at the Pacific Games.

“And having the opportunity to host a world event in Fiji is a great platform for our athletes to get the exposure and be able to rub shoulders amongst one of world’s best young weightlifters.

“We would like to thank the support that we have been receiving from the Fiji Sports Council, FASANOC and the Fijian Government.”

Edited by Leone Cabenatabua

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