NAURU’S champion lifter Itte Detenamo wants nothing less than just teamwork to allow him to get a spot in this year’s summer Olympics in Rio.
Detenamo, 30, was at the past Olympic Games finishing tenth and at the past Commonwealth Games where he snatched a silver medal in the competition is back in the country to take part in the Oceania Weightlifting Championships.
The 105+ super category lifter said he was happy to see that Fiji had been given the rights to host the competition.
“I’ve been competing in Oceania and Fiji always hosts a lot of championship and it’s good to have it here in Fiji because it’s near everyone especially us, so I am happy to be in Fiji,” Detenamo said.
“I can’t do it on my own, it depends on the team. We work together and I’m confident this Saturday, am trying to get in again. Right now, this Oceania Championship we have teams, it’s team qualification, that’s why I got my team here but even though they’re young, I think we’ll do good.”
Detenamo started lifting at the tender age of 10 years and 20 years on, he is still doing what he loves best because he said it had become a family affair.
His father Vincent Detenamo was a Nauru and Commonwealth weightlifting president until he resigned. His older sister lifts as well and his cousin is now the coach of Nauru weightlifting —— Quincy Detenamo.
Coach Detenamo said their team had many youngsters with their average age being at 13 years old but they were confident of doing well and allowing Itte in getting that Olympic spot.
