PACIFIC GAMES: Fifteen Australian weightlifters have been selected to compete at the Pacific Games in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, in July, for some it will be a pathway to the 2016 Rio Olympic Games.
The Team includes Commonwealth Games athletes Malek Chamoun and Erika Ropati-Frost (nee Yamasaki).
Chamoun was diagnosed with the degenerative condition retinitis pigmentosa as a child and is legally blind but despite this, the Sydneysider is aiming to claim gold across all three categories at the Pacific Games; clean and jerk, snatch and overall.
The 26-year-old says he’s learnt a great deal from his experience at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow last year, where he failed to complete one lift.
“When I last represented Australia I didn’t do as well as I wanted to. This time when I wear the green and gold I am keen to do much better,” he said.
The Pacific Games is one of the first International Weightlifting Federation approved qualifying events for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games for Australian athletes.
Chamoun has his sights set on making his Olympic debut.
“I’m working hard to secure the one spot for an Australian athlete at the Olympics. It would be the highlight of my career.”
For Ropati-Frost, a dual Commonwealth Games competitor and bronze medallist, the Pacific Games will be a chance to test herself against fierce competition in Papua New Guinea.
“My biggest competition in the region is PNG’s Dika Toua. She’s always beaten me and it will be tough to face her in front of a home crowd, but I want to take home all three gold medals,” she said.
The 28-year-old Queenslander will aim to lift double her body weight in the clean and jerk, a feat no other female Australian competitor has achieved.
Before the Glasgow Games her husband Tony was diagnosed with throat cancer.
“It made the Games tough and emotional, but now he’s been given the all clear it’s changed the way I train, now I train harder and lifting doesn’t seem as hard.”
The team also includes two Youth Olympic Games competitors, Liam Larkins and Kiana Elliot.
2015 Pacific Games Chef de Mission, Olympic gold medallist Malcolm Page, says he’s excited Australia will be sending a team to the Games for the first time.
“I think it’s going to be an amazing cultural experience for the Australian Team,” he said.
It is the first time Australia and New Zealand have been invited to compete at the Pacific Games. More than 40 Australians are set to participate in sailing, rugby sevens, weightlifting and taekwondo.
The Games run from 4-18 July, with more than 3000 athletes from 21 countries competing in 28 sports.
The first Games were held in 1963 in Suva, Fiji and are held every four years, with hosting rights shared across the South Pacific region.
The Games will form an integral part of commemorations for Papua New Guinea as it celebrates its 40th year of independence.
Full Team:
Mary Barter (nee Witham)
Erika Ropati-Frost (nee Yamasaki)
Tia-Clair Toomey
Kiana Elliott
Philippa Malone
Camilla Fogagnolo
Belinda van Tienen
Matthew Munns
Benjamin Shaw
Mitchell Delbridge
Malek Chamoun
Francois Etoundi*
Liam Larkins
Zac Grgurevic
Philip Wood
*subject to selection conditions.