Weightlifting: Three lifters reach Commonwealth Games standards

By JULIE ASH

Three New Zealand weightlifters are a step closer to competing in next year's Commonwealth Games.

Nigel Avery, Olivia Baker and Keisha-Dean Soffe reached the Commonwealth Games qualifying standards at the New Zealand championships in Auckland.

All they have to do now is maintain their form.

"It was a very successful nationals," New Zealand coach Richard Dryden said. "There was some good competition in the women's divisions and some great performances by Nigel, Olivia and Keisha-Dean."

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. The Commonwealth Games qualifying standard is 355kg.

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

Baker and Avery were New Zealand's only representatives at last year's Olympic Games. Both will compete in the world championships in Turkey in November.

Soffe finished sixth in the world junior weightlifting championships in July. "She has lifted her previous personal best of 205kg twice now, so I'm sure she'll go on and do more," Dryden said.

A team of 12 weightlifters has been selected to compete in the Oceania championships in Auckland in October.

They are Jennifer Jury, Nicole Goffin, Blanche MacKinder, Soffe, Olivia Baker, Steve Howlett, Chris Olney, Terry Hughes, Bevan Smith, Grant Cavit, Hayden Kumerich and Heinz Baker.