Port Moresby (The National) – PAPUA New Guinea weightlifter Morea Baru won the best male lifter of the Australian International Open in Brisbane.
Baru was among the 12 lifters (10 men and two women) from the Oceania Weightlifting Institute residing in Mont Dore, New Caledonia, who competed in the event from March 18-20.
In the men’s division, the lifters from the institute won their categories, while the two women dominated in their divisions. Baru, competing in the 62kg division, lifted 126kg in the snatch and 165kg in clean and jerk for a total of 291kg to take out the best male lifter award, with fellow institute lifter, Jenly Wini of the Solomon Islands, taking out the best female lifter award.
The tournament attracted more than 100 lifters and was held at the Cougars Centre, Chandler Complex in Brisbane, with the Australian Weightlifting Federation organising the event. The Queensland Weightlifting Association had a hand in providing the venue for the event.
The 12 lifters used the Australian International Open tournament as preparation for the Oceania Championships and Olympic qualification event for this year’s Rio Olympic Games.
The qualifiers were held over the weekend in Fiji.
