PACIFIC ATHLETES RUN INTO STIFF COMPETITION IN BEIJING

PACIFIC ISLANDS REPORT

Pacific Islands Development Program/East-West Center
With Support From Center for Pacific Islands Studies/University of Hawai‘i

PACIFIC ATHLETES RUN INTO STIFF COMPETITION IN BEIJING
No medals yet in weightlifting, swimming and other events

SUVA, Fiji (Fiji Times, Aug. 11, 2008) - There has been no success so far for Pacific athletes taking part in the 2008 Beijing Olympics in China, reports Radio New Zealand.

Over the weekend, there were high hopes of Papua New Guineas Dika Toua finishing well in the 53kg weightlifting division.

Toua, who is ranked 31 in the world and number one in the South Pacific, reached 104 kg in the competition won by a lifter from Thailand with 120kg.

According to reports, another PNG hopeful was 2004 Commonwealth Gold medalist Ryan Pini, in action in the pool for the 200 meters freestyle heats.

And while Pini was unlucky not to make the final, his specialist event the 100 meters butterfly is not set to go until later this week.

However, he will be in action tomorrow night for the 100 meters freestyle along with Fijis Carl Probert and Guams Chris Duenas.

Archer Joseph Walter of Samoa missed out in the men’s individual ranking with a score of 563.

And another medal prospect Fijis Glen Kable and former world champion was unsuccessful in the men’s trap shoot qualification.

In weightlifting action today, the Federated States of Micronesia’s Manual Minginfel, and Solomon Islands’ Wendy Hale make their first appearance in the 62kg and 58 kg respectively.

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