Weightlifting: Lifters pressing for next year's Games

By JULIE ASH

New Zealand's top weightlifters have their second chance at qualifying for the Commonwealth Games at the Oceania and South Pacific championships in Auckland this weekend.

Twelve New Zealand lifters will take on competitors from 10 countries, including Australia, Fiji, Tonga and New Caledonia, at Youthtown.

New Zealand coach Richard Dryden said he expects at least three Kiwi lifters to come close to, or reach, the qualifying standards.

Chris Olney, (62kg division), Terry Hughes (69kg) and Grant Cavit (85kg), are those he believes are most likely to succeed.

Olivia Baker, Keisha-Dean Soffe and Nigel Avery reached the qualifying standard at the New Zealand championships in August.

Avery broke the New Zealand, Oceania and Commonwealth record in the over-105kg division, lifting 215kg in the clean and jerk.

His total in the clean and jerk and the snatch was 382.5kg, against the Games qualifying standard of 355kg.

Baker and Soffe competed in the over-75kg women's division. Baker's total was 225kg and Soffe's 210kg. The qualifying mark is 210kg.

Baker and Avery, who were New Zealand's only representatives at last year's Olympic Games, have qualified for the world championships in Turkey in November.

They will not compete this weekend, because of their training commitments.

The New Zealand team for the Oceanias is made up of four women and eight men: Jennifer Jury, Nicole Goffin, Soffe and Kerry Hayles in the women's event, and Olney, Hughes, Cavit, Peter Jones, Robert Katu, Heinz Baker, Bevan Smith and Hayden Kumerich.

Dryden said he was using the event to introduce some of the country's up-and-coming lifters to international competition.

"We have named a couple of young lifters in Peter Jones, Robert Katu and Heinz Baker [Olivia's brother] to give them some international experience, because it is not very often we get to do that.

"We could have entered more woman, which reflects the standard of depth in women's lifting at the moment."

Tongan Tavita Ngalu has been included in the New Zealand squad, but will compete as a guest lifter.

"He has been living in New Zealand since January, but is seeking New Zealand citizenship so he can compete for New Zealand," Dryden said.

"He is improving rapidly. He is big, strong and fast and if he continues to improve then he should reach the qualifying mark."

Lifters have until April to qualify.

The championships are on Saturday and Sunday from 11 am until 6 pm.