THE Papua New Guinea Weightlifting Federation is hosting its selections. They expect to form a squad to represent Team PNG in the upcoming Pacific Mini Games in Koror, Palau.

President and Olympic weightlifter Dika Toua said the selection trials started yesterday. These trials will also serve as a lead-up preparation for their emerging weightlifters. There is an expectation to feature a few in the upcoming games.

“PNG Weightlifting Federation will be having its Pacific Mini Games Selection Competition this weekend. Please come along and support our young lads and lasses in the fight for a spot.”

“This competition will also serve as a lead-up event. It is for our Youth and Junior team. They will attend the Oceania Championships in Melbourne, Australia, in April.”

The event started yesterday at the LDT Weightlifting club in Hanuabada Village. It will feature baby lifters. They represent the next generation of the code moving ahead.

“We will also be showcasing our baby lifters at this competition. We look forward to seeing you all at the LDT Weightlifting Club in Hanuabada Village, NCD.

“Your presence and your support will make a difference to our athletes.”

Meanwhile, Weightlifting has made a mark in the last three years. During this period, PNG collected seven gold medals, four silvers, and a bronze at the 2022 Pacific Mini Games in Saipan, Northern Mariana.

This was shortly before Olympian Morea Baru won a silver medal at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, England.

PNG grabbed 4 gold medals through Toua and Baru at the 2023 Pacific Games in Honiara, Solomon Islands. The national team also secured 5 silver and 7 bronze medals.

Baru also went on to compete in the 2024 Paris Olympics. He finished 5^th overall in his weight category. This was a new standard record and a historic achievement for PNG Weightlifting in the Olympics.

The national team, consisting of both seniors and juniors, has competed in the annual Oceania Weightlifting championships.

They have also participated in the United World Masters Weightlifting Championships. The team claimed multiple gold, silver, and bronze medals for PNG.

The trials now taking place in Hanuabada will reveal the elite squad for the Palau Games come June 2025.