Oceania Federation to celebrate 30 Years history
2010 marks the 30th anniversary of the Oceania Weightlifting Federation (OWF). The Federation was established in Melbourne in 1980 and became the fifth continent of the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF). And what better way to celebrate this 30th Anniversary, than with the biggest Oceania championships ever held in our 30 year history, in Suva-Fiji, on May 3-7? Fiji, the host nation of this year's Oceania Senior, Junior and Youth Championships has been able to attract 18 countries of the Oceania continent. And more importantly it has attracted the highest number of competitors ever. 165 lifters (male & female) have officially entered, with almost 100 officials attending as well.This event also carries a special significance this year as it will serve as the IWF Olympic Youth qualification event for the first ever Youth Olympic Games to be held in Singapore in the month of August.The countries who place in the top four in the Youth Championships for boys will qualify one lifter each to compete at the Olympic Youth Games. Whilst in the girls section, the countries which place in the top three positions will qualify one lifter each. This year is also the year for the Commonwealth Games. Therefore all of the top lifters from the region will use this event as a test event in the lead up to the Games in New Delhi in the month of October. The Organising Committee in Fiji is well prepared under the Chairmanship of Dr. Robin Mitchell, to stage what will be the biggest event in the 30 years of existence of the OWF. The International Weightlifting Federation will be sending two officials and the IWF TIS from Budapest, Hungary, to assist with the running of this major event. Countries which will take part are: Australia, New Caledonia, Tahiti, New Zealand, Niue, Tonga, Cook Islands, Wallis & Futuna, American Samoa, Samoa, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea, Kiribati, Nauru, Palau, FSM, and of course Fiji.
