SKIP TO MAIN CONTENT

Final countdown to Rio for weightlifters

The moment of truth has almost arrived for several Australian weightlifters, who will get one of their final chances to qualify for Rio this weekend.

2 min read

Published

Source: AAP


Skip to article content

Several Australian weightlifters will have their second-to-last chance at a Rio Olympics berth when they compete at the Australian Weightlifting International.

The tournament, being held in Brisbane this weekend, will give lifters like two-time Olympian Damon Kelly the opportunity to achieve Olympic qualifying weights.

Female lifters Tia-Clair Toomey and Erika Ropati-Frost have already cleared that hurdle, but they'll now fight it out to win a ticket to Rio.

Only one Australian man and woman is expected to qualify for the Brazil games for weightlifting.

Commonwealth Games gold medallist Simplice Ribouem is the only Australian male to have already lifted the qualifying weight for Rio.

News that makes sense

Your trusted source for staying up-to-date with the world around you. Get free daily news updates and analysis, straight to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

The Cameroon-born lifter overcame a 12-month battle with malaria to post his qualifying mark last November.

Kelly needs to lift at least another nine kilograms this weekend to make the trip.

Another former Cameroon lifter, Francois Etoundi is in the same boat, but will save his bid for the Oceania Championships to be held in Fiji in May.

Among the women, Brisbane's Ropati-Frost has long been considered the front runner for Olympic nomination.

However an injury at the end of last year, and an incredible display by Australian cross-fit games athlete, Toomey, has dramatically shaken up the race for Rio.

A top class international field will compete at the Australian International this weekend, including several Commonwealth Games medallists.

If it doesn't work out for the Australian hopefuls this weekend, their final chance will come at the Oceania Championships in May.


Get SBS News straight to your inbox

Sign up now for daily news from Australia and around the world. You can also subscribe to Insight's weekly newsletter for in-depth features and first-person stories.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Follow SBS News

Download our apps

Listen to our podcasts

Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service

Stream now

Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world