IT was a double joy for the couple from New Zealand after both of them won a gold each in their respective competition in the 2016 Oceania Weightlifting Championship at Vodafone Arena in Suva.
Husband Richard Patterson and wife Phillipa Patterson came along with their 11-month-old baby Cooper Patterson in the competition and they will be returning with all smiles.
Richard won a gold in the men’s 85kilograms senior category while Pillipa won in the 53kg category.
Richard said Fiji had been a great host.
“I am happy to secure a point towards the Olympic Games qualifier and again stand on top of the podium. There was a good competition and have competed against Samoa and Fiji before,” he said.
“We are all good friends and when we are lifting then there is a healthy rivalry.
“She won on Wednesday. I was the first lifter in the family and met through coaching and may be our baby is also going to be a lifter I don’t know.”
The couple operates a gym in Auckland, New Zealand and had been training number of weightlifters.
“We are privilege that Fiji has done a fantastic job in hosting and despite after such circumstances (Cyclone Winston). I have come to Fiji for the second time as first was in 2004 for the Olympic qualification,” he added.
“It is great she won. She had put pressure on me to win as well. I won the Commonwealth Games in 2014 in Glasgow, Scotland. I have been the Oceania champion for about 6-7 times.”
The couple said “We will be having a three-day holiday in Denarau and enjoy some Fiji experience before going back to New Zealand for the winter. We hope to enjoy some Fijian sunshine and then relaxation.”
Samoa’s Petunu Opeloge came second while Australia’s Malek Chamoun settled for third place.
Samoa’s Maeu Nanai Livi won gold with a lift of 259kg in the youth and junior category while in the youth category New Zealand’s Alexander Farmiloe finished second while Fiji’s Taniela Tuisuva fiished third with a lift of 248kg.
