TOP Fiji weightlifter Manueli Tulo has failed to qualify for the Rio 2016 Olympics on individual merit.
This after failing to finish in the top 15 at the World Weightlifting Championships in Houston, Texas in the US. Placing in the top 15 would have given Tulo automatic qualification to the Rio event.
He lifted a total of 240kg in the 56 kilograms men’s category and was ranked 23 in the competition. He had a snatch of 107 and with a jerk of 133.
The Oceania Weightlifting Federation coach Paul Coffa had high hopes from Tulo to make the cut from the Pacific region.
Fiji Weightlifting Federation secretary Christopher Yee said despite falling short to qualify he had improved on his performance.
“In the championship teams from all around the world competed to come out best and it was a tough one for all the lifters,” he said.
“Manueli despite not qualifying for the Olympic he did his best and from the performance he had improved a lot. He had a total lift of 234kg in the Pacific Games in July and then he lifted a total of 236kg followed by 240kg in the championship. It is an improvement for him.”
Yee said it was not the end of the world but he had another chance to qualify for the biggest event.
“He will have to qualify in the Oceania Weightlifting championship which will be hosted in Fiji,” he added.
“He had a lay-off for two years and seven months and he only got back into the action earlier this year.
“After his arrival he will go back to New Caledonia to continue his elite training.”
The OWC will be held in May next year.
