Vueti lifts gold
OTILLY RABUKU
OTILLY RABUKU
Thursday, August 30, 2007 Fiji's ace weightlifter Joe Vueti stamped his mark at the South Pacific Games in Samoa after raking in three gold medals at the Faleata Sports Gymnasium yesterday.
Also winning gold medals yesterday was the Fiji men's touch team, Glen Kable in shooting and judo's Sisilia Nasiga and Josateki Naulu.
With that result, Fiji's medal haul increased to 12 gold, seven silver and 16 bronze medals.
The father of two won the snatch lifting 116kg in his first attempt.
"I've prepared well over the last few months with Paul (Coffa, general secretary of the Ocean Weightlifting Federation) and I thank him for his continued support," said the jubiliant Levuka man.
"This gold was mine and I thank my fellow teammates and coaches for the support in sending me to train here."
While Vueti was cherishing his win in Apia, his family in the old capital was already preparing a heroes welcome.
"We're all happy with Joe's achievements," said his sister Maria from Levuka.
"Winning the gold at the SPG was one of his dreams and we're proud of him."
"I think Joe's over the moon and why shouldn't he be. We always celebrate his wins.
Vueti's second gold was in the clean and jerk event. He won the third gold in the total lift category.
He scored a minimum of 266 points ahead of Tuvalu's silver medallist Logona Esau (255 points). Nauru took the bronze with 248 points.
"He's a natural and has once again done well which boils down to preparations," said team manager Mereia Shaw.
"We sent him here (Samoa) to train with the elite squad and expected him to win gold.
The sport suffered a major set back to its future development when the Oceania Weightlifting Centre was relocated from Sigatoka to Samoa in 2004.
The move, said Shaw, challenged them to excel in their performance.
The Fiji men's touch team beat hosts Samoa 6-4 to win the gold.
Kable won gold in the individual single barrel event while Judoka Nasiga beat team mate Mereseini Galu to win the gold in the final of the Open women's class. Naulu won the Open men's class final.
In other results, Caroline Pickering won a bronze medal in the 50m women's backstroke and Tavarua-based surfer Ratu Aca Lalabalavu won bronze in the short board event. FONTE: Fiji Times - Suva, Fiji
Also winning gold medals yesterday was the Fiji men's touch team, Glen Kable in shooting and judo's Sisilia Nasiga and Josateki Naulu.
With that result, Fiji's medal haul increased to 12 gold, seven silver and 16 bronze medals.
The father of two won the snatch lifting 116kg in his first attempt.
"I've prepared well over the last few months with Paul (Coffa, general secretary of the Ocean Weightlifting Federation) and I thank him for his continued support," said the jubiliant Levuka man.
"This gold was mine and I thank my fellow teammates and coaches for the support in sending me to train here."
While Vueti was cherishing his win in Apia, his family in the old capital was already preparing a heroes welcome.
"We're all happy with Joe's achievements," said his sister Maria from Levuka.
"Winning the gold at the SPG was one of his dreams and we're proud of him."
"I think Joe's over the moon and why shouldn't he be. We always celebrate his wins.
Vueti's second gold was in the clean and jerk event. He won the third gold in the total lift category.
He scored a minimum of 266 points ahead of Tuvalu's silver medallist Logona Esau (255 points). Nauru took the bronze with 248 points.
"He's a natural and has once again done well which boils down to preparations," said team manager Mereia Shaw.
"We sent him here (Samoa) to train with the elite squad and expected him to win gold.
The sport suffered a major set back to its future development when the Oceania Weightlifting Centre was relocated from Sigatoka to Samoa in 2004.
The move, said Shaw, challenged them to excel in their performance.
The Fiji men's touch team beat hosts Samoa 6-4 to win the gold.
Kable won gold in the individual single barrel event while Judoka Nasiga beat team mate Mereseini Galu to win the gold in the final of the Open women's class. Naulu won the Open men's class final.
In other results, Caroline Pickering won a bronze medal in the 50m women's backstroke and Tavarua-based surfer Ratu Aca Lalabalavu won bronze in the short board event. FONTE: Fiji Times - Suva, Fiji
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