OCEANIA WEIGHTLIFTING FEDERATION Latest News August 2015 21 Countries competing 240 competitors National & International TV coverage Huge crowds IWF President attending History making AUS / NZL World class set-up The large crowd at the weightlifting stadium The Games are over. Weightlifting was undoubtedly one of the most successful sports at the Pacific Games. And for the very first time in Pacific Games history, Australia and New Zealand took part in the sport of weightlifting. In fact it was an Oceania Games for our sport. Port Moresby made history in weightlifting. For the first time ever, 21 countries took part. Only one country was missing and that was Northern Marianas. This was no fault of the NM Sports Federation. The weightlifting Association did not bother entering anyone. These Games attracted the highest number of competitors in its history. The television coverage was excellent. Four days of direct telecast. Brendon Telfer did a great job assisted by Luisa Peters and Lilly Coffa. The crowd was large, extremely enthusiastic and in some categories like the 53kg and 94kg, it was standing room only. For the first time in Games history, we had the pleasure of having the President of the International Weightlifting Federation , Dr. Tamas Ajan from Hungary in attendance. Also from Malaysia, we had the IWF Vice President and the President of the Commonwealth Weightlifting Federation, Dato Ong Poh Eng, together with Mr. Attila Adamfi the IWF Director General . We were also honoured with the attendance of Prince Andrew, Duke of York during the 48Kg category on the first day of the Games.. Mr Lyn Jones at his best in Port Moresby The warm up area at the Pacific Games The venue was of World Championships standard. The warm up area had 10 platforms – all ZKC equipment. All other facilities were provided in close proximity to the warm up area, such as the weigh-in, rest rooms, saunas, etc. At the opening ceremony, 50% of the countries’ flag bearers were weightlifters. Dika Toua was the final baton runner and she lit the torch. The loaders, with the assistance of the Institute lifters did a tremendous job for the four day duration. It was nice to see that Jerry Wallwork, OWF 1st Vice President, at the conclusion of the Games was awarded the best coach of the Games. Everyday we witnessed great battles, with many of the categories decided on the last lift. The technical officials did a splendid job. The competition ran smoothly with no hiccups at all. Garry Marshall, the OWF Technical Chairman, co- ordinated the technical team beautifully. Whilst the MC, Lyn Jones, as we have all come to expect - was the best of the best, assisted by Trent Dabwido who also did a great job. Bowen Stuart, Ian Moir and Trent Dabwido, set up the competition system which operated faultlessly throughout the tournament. John Dawanincura President PNG Weightlifting standing behind the PNG Prime Minister The Hon. Peter O’Neill . Sitting from left: Dato Ong Poh Sir Eng Vice President IWF, The Prime Minister of PNG, Dr Tamas Ajan IWF President and PNG Minister of Sports Hon. Justin Tkatchenko. Many thanks must go to the Government of PNG, the PNG National Olympic Committee, the Minister for Sport the Hon. Justin Tkatchenko , and of course Mr Andrew Daubney, the Marketing Manager of Trukai Industries. Without his assistance we would have faced difficulties in patching up the many areas which we had to coming up to the last few days before the Games started.. The Organising Committee of Weightlifting under the leadership of Sir John Dawanincura did an excellent job. I am glad that Sir John, three months prior to the Games took over the position of Competition Manager of Weightlifting. Prior to his appointment we were facing many hurdles but once he did take over things started to fall in to place. We all know that he faced an uphill battle against decisions which were not made in the interests of weightlifting. Yet he was able to force those decisions to be changed and at the end it paid off. The event ran like clock work and his small team of volunteers were absolutely superb. Sir John, everyone associated with weightlifting wants to say thank you for your outstanding efforts in making weightlifting one of the most, if not the most successful sport at the Pacific Games. Sir John Dawanincura Kt. OBE , President Papua New Guinea Weightlifting Federation, President PNG National Olympic Committee, CWF Vice President and Vice Chairman PNG 2015 Organising Committee. Weightlifting has grown in leaps and bounds in this region especially in the Pacific Islands. This developmental success in the last 15 years must be attributed to ONOC/IOC, the IWF and the Oceania Weightlifting Institute for taking the sport to the high levels of participation and growth. Their collective contribution whether through funding, guidance, and the provision of opportunities that the Institute in New Caledonia has provided, has made weightlifting what it is today. OCEANIA CONGRESS On July 3rd, in the presence of Dr. Tamas Ajan – IWF President, Dato Ong – IWF Vice President, Mr. Attila Adamfi – IWF Director General, and Mr. Andrew Minogue – Executive Director of the Pacific Games Council, the OWF held its Annual Congress at the Ela Beach Hotel in Port Moresby. The Congress had the highest number of country attendance. Presentations, awards, and reports were made during the Congress. Fiji was awarded the 2016 Oceania Senior, Junior and Youth Championships and Olympic Qualification Event. The night before, on July 2nd, the OWF Executive Board meeting was held the Trukai Industries board room. A record 21 Countries attended the OWF Congress at the Ela Beach A special guest at the Congress – ONOC General .Secretary Hotel In Port Moresby. Mr Ric Blas on the right with Paul Claros representing Guam. The OWF Executive Board Meeting held on July 2nd at the Board Room of Trukai Industries. The OWF thanks Mr Andrew Daubney for providing his Board Room. Logona Esau (Tuvalu) receives the Oceania Coaching Diploma All photos in this issue of news letter was by courtesy of Bowen from Dr Tamas Ajan with Paul Coffa on the right. Stuart (Australian Weightlifting Fed.) and the office of the OWF. The Duke of York with Attila Adamfi IWF Director General. IWF Director General Prince Andrew with Dr Tamas Ajan President IWF and Paul Coffa Sir John Dawanincura on stage with Prince Andrew presenting medals. Dr Tamas Ajan interviewed by Brendon Telfer on National Television Dato Ong CWF President with PNG Prime Minister and Dr Tamas Ajan President IWF. Dato Ong, Andrew Daubney marketing Manager Trukai, Dr Tamas Ajan, Lilly Coffa and Attila Adamfi looking over Port Moresby. Sir John Dawanincura presents a Games souvenir to Dr Tamas Ajan Medal presentation girls in cultural costumes. Mr Andrew Daubney - Marketing Manager of Trukai, assisting the weightlifting Organising Committee. The popularity of weightlifting in PNG Still there Attila Adamfi, Paul Coffa, Dr Tamas Ajan, Hon. Marcus Stephen, Dato Ong, Andrew Daubney and Frank Robby at the weightlifting Stadium in Port Moresby. The training hall during the Games in PNG Manueli Tulo (Fiji) dominated the 56Kg Category by winning all 3 Gold medals. Two great lifters, Morea Baru (PNG) Gold in the Snatch, Nevo Ioane (SAM) Gold in the C&Jerk with Morea Baru Gold in the Total. “The Legend” Manuel Minginfel (FSM) wins Gold in the Snatch, Tevita Tawai (FIJ) takes Gold in the C&Jerk, Manuel takes Gold in the Total. “What a battle” Francois Etoundi (AUS) takes Gold in the Snatch, Toua Udia (PNG) wins Gold in the C&Jerk and in the Total . Malek Chamoun (AUS) wins Gold in the Snatch whilst young Petunu Opeloge (SAM) takes Gold in the C&Jerk and Total. Siaosi Leusio “the Samoan Hercules’ takes Gold in the Snatch whilst Steven Kari (PNG) brilliantly retains Gold in the C&Jerk and Total. The one and only “David Katoatau “ (KIR) wins all three Gold medals and puts on a show at the end of his third Clean & Jerk. Itte Detenamo (Nauru) Pacific Games Champion 2003-2007-2011-2015 Itte Detenamo (NRU) takes for the fourth consecutive Games three gold medals in the +105kg Category Thelma Toua (PNG) wins 3 gold medals and gets presented the medals by Prince Andrew - Duke of York Erika Yamasaki (AUS) Gold medal -snatch Dika Toua (PNG) gold medal _C&Jerk Erika Yamasaki (AUS) Gold medal Jenly Wini (SOL) wins all 3 Gold medals Philippa Malone (AUS) Gold medal – Snatch Sandra Ako (PNG) Gold C&Jerk Philippa Malone (AUS) takes Gold in the total Guba Hale (PNG) wins Gold in the Snatch Vanessa Lui (SAM) gold in the C&Jerk Guba Hale (PNG) wins Gold in the Total. Mary Opeloge (SAM) takes all three gold medals in the 75kg Category. Snatch 106Kg, Clean &Jerk 125Kg, Total 231Kg ELE OPELOGE – PACIFIC GAMES GOLD MEDALIST 2007- 2011- 2015 Ele Opeloge (SAM) takes for the third consecutive Games three gold medals in the +75kg Category. The crowd at the weightlifting stadium in Port Moresby. .