WEIGHT-LIFTING Fiji has accepted the withdrawal of Arieta Mudunavoce and Maria Liku from its 2018 Commonwealth Games squad.
Mudunavoce had qualified for the 53kg division while Liku in the 58kg.
Women lifters Apolonia Vaivai and Eileen Cikamatana directly qualified after winning the Commonwealth Championship last September in Australia.
The other six athletes who qualified after participating in Commonwealth Games were ranked in the top 15.
Ritesh Ratiram, the general secretary for Weightlifting Fiji confirmed the withdrawals.
“Arieta and Maria have withdrawn for personal reasons. Weightlifting Fiji has accepted their withdrawals,” Ratiram said.
“Athletes have to be ranked in the top 15 before they can be replaced and we don’t have any non-travelling reserves in those weight categories.”
Weightlifting Fiji is expected to field a six-member team that will include Seruwaia Malani in the 48kg, Vaivai 69kg, Cikamatana 90kg, Manueli Tulo 56kg, Poama Qaqa 62kg, Taniela Rainibogi 85kg.
