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Australia secures historic first Pacific Games gold medal as favourite Toua falters on home soil in weightlifting

Erika Yamasaki became Australia’s first-ever Pacific Games gold medallist as she claimed two 53 kilograms titles on the opening day of the weightlifting event at the PNG Power Dome here today. Yamasaki, a Commonwealth Games bronze medallist at Melbourne in 2006, delighted the vociferous Australian contingent inside the arena by topping the standings in the snatch event and finishing second place finish in the clean and jerk, good enough for the overall crown. Commonwealth Games champion and home favourite Dika Toua failed to defend her women’s overall title as she registered three unsuccessful snatch attempts, much to the disappointment of the majority of the crowd. Toua, who lit the cauldron at the Opening Ceremony last night, was considered the red-hot favourite to clinch her third straight overall Pacific Games title but she was unable to deliver in front of an expectant crowd. The 31-year-old did however manage to finish the day on a high, lifting 110kg to clinch gold in the clean and jerk. New Zealand’s Charlotte Moss also got her nation onto the medals table at the Pacific Games for the first time with a bronze medal in the overall category, despite failing to finish in the top-three finish in either the snatch or clean and jerk, Both Australia and New Zealand are making their Pacific Games debut here and they will compete in three other sports, rugby sevens, sailing and taekwondo. Papua New Guinea's Thelma Mea Toua received her three gold medals from Duke of York Prince Andrew Papua New Guinea's Thelma Mea Toua received her three Pacific Games gold medals from Prince Andrew following her dominant performance in the 48kg category ©Port Moresby 2015 It still proved to be a successful day for the host nation as they secured six gold medals to top the medal tally after the opening session of weightlifting finals. They got off to a wonderful start thanks to a superb performance from Toua’s sister Thelma Mea, who dominated the women’s 48kg category. She lifted 70kg to win the snatch crown ahead of Mary Barter, the first Australian Pacific Games medallist in the 52-year history of the event, maintaining her momentum with a lift of 90kg in the clean and jerk. Those two performances saw her comfortably take the overall honours on a total of 160kg, with Barter winning silver and Fiji's Seruwia Malani taking bronze. Manueli Tulo of Fiji produced an excellent display to win all three medals in the men's 56kg competition Fiji's Manueli Tulo won all three medals in the men's 56kg competition ©Port Moresby 2015 Fiji's Manueli Tulo replicated the performance of Thelma Mea Toua, winning the snatch, clean and jerk and overall events in the men's 56kg as lifts of 107kg and 127kg gave him a total score of 234kg. Elson Brechtefeld’s second place in the snatch helped him to overall silver, Nauru’s first medal at these Games, and the podium was rounded off by another Fijian, Poama Qaqa. Following Yamasaki’s historic success, men’s 62kg event was the last medal event of the day and Morea Baru ensured the Papua New Guinea fans went home happy, clinching two of the three medals, including the overall crown with a total of 276kg. The event also doubled up as the Oceania Weightlifting Championships, which meant each victor was awarded with a second medal, declaring them the Continental champion, as well as Pacific Games winner. Source:

Southeast Asian Weightlifting Federation (SEAWF) Elections

On June 25th, 2015 SEAWF Members voted unanimously to elect Mr. Kosit Paliwan – Executive Board Member of Thai Amateur Weightlifting Association (TAWA) – as a new President and Dr. Meechai Inwood – Advisory Board Member of TAWA – as a new General Secretary of SEAWF at the SEAWF General Congress. There were 8 national federations from ASEAN countries i.e. CAM, INA, MAS, MYA, PHI, SIN, THA and VIE. The International Weightlifting Federation was represented by Major General Intarat YODBANGTOEY and the AWF Official Representative was Mr. Mohamed JALOUD. The 1st Southeast Asian Weightlifting Championships had grand opening ceremony at Rajamangala University of Technology Suvarnabhumi, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Province being a world’s heritage site of

New Japan Weightlifting Association Executive Board for next two years

The General Assembly of the Japan Weightlifting Association (JWA) was held on 20 June and the President, H.E. Yuriko Koike, Member of the House of Representatives of Japan and former Minister of Defense and Minister of Environment, was unanimously approved to take her second term. Mr. Yoshiyuki Miyake, the Bronze Medalist of 1968 Mexico City Olympic Games, continues as one of the three Vice Presidents. Mr. Minoru Shinomiya, actual Director General, is appointed to assume the office of General Secretary. JWA welcomes new Director General, Mr. Yoshio Uchiyama, former diplomat who served as Consul General of Japan in Curitiba, Brasil, and worked in Portugal, Brazil, Peru, Cuba, USA, and Vietnam. Executive Board Member Mr. Tetsuo Komiyama is chosen to be the national team head coach in view of Rio 2016. Among the Executive Board Members, Ms. Reiko Kato Chinen (IWF TC Secretary, AWF EB member and TC Chairperson) chairs IR Committee, Ms. Tomoko Kato (AWF CRC Member), PR Cpmmittee, Dr. Kohei Nakajima (AWF MC Member), Medical Committee, and 2014 Nanjing YOG International Technical Official Mr. Jun-ichi Okada, TO Committee. As in the previous term, JWA has 3 female EB members – President Koike, Ms. Chinen and Ms.

Lifter of the Year video

A video of the presentation of the "Jenő Boskovics Lifter of the Year 2014" trophies has been produced by the IWF. Ilya Ilyin and Tatiana Kashirina featuring in the Astana ceremony, having been voted as best lifters of 2014 in World Weightlifting's annual

Two more flagbearers for weightlifting / KATOATAU and DETENAMO

Kiribati’s Golden Boy, David Katoatau, will be his country’s flagbearer at the Opening Ceremony of the Pacific Games in Port Moresby next weekend. David created history at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games last year; when he won Kiribati first ever medal at a Commonwealth Games. David has won 6 gold medals at Mini Games and Pacific Games, 6 Silver and 3 Bronze. David is now the 3rd weightlifter confirmed to carry the flag at the Games. At a bodyweight of 180kg, Itte Detenamo is considered to be one of the heaviest weightlifters in the world. Itte also holds every record in the +105kg category in the Oceania and Commonwealth. Itte is the fourth regional world class lifter to be selected to carry the flag for his country Nauru at the Pacific games starting next week-end in Port Moresby. He began is lifting career at the age of nine. At the Pacific Games and Mini Games, Itte has won: 2003 Fiji Pacific Games - 2 gold, 1 silver 2005 Palau Mini Games - 3 gold 2007 Samoa Pacific Games - 3 gold 2009 Cook Islands Mini Games - 3 gold 2011 New Caledonia Pacific Games - 3

Updated IWF Android and iOS App

The updated version of the official IWF Android and IOS App is now available. It includes an always up-to-date Ranking list beside the Sinclair Point Calculator, Loading feature and Calendar. There is also a direct link to reach our website easier. Sinclair Enter your bodyweight and Total Result, select your gender and click Calculate to get your Sinclair Points. Loading Select your gender; enter the requested weight and see how the bar should be loaded. With Up and Down you can increase or decrease the weight by 1kg. Ranking (internet connection needed) Select the gender, year, age group, bodyweight category, number of Athletes/Nation and click Ranking to see that given Ranking list. Access the Android version or iOS