WEIGHT-LIFTER Manueli Tulo bowed out of the Rio Olympics with a score of 242 in the men’s 56kg category held at the Riocentro Pavilion 2 yesterday.
He recorded 116 in the snatch and 136 in the clean and jerk finishing fifth out of the seven Group B participants.
The 26-year-old is out of a medal contention but he should hold his head high for giving everything he has to set a new personal record compared with his scores at the last Olympics and the recent Oceania Weightlifting Championship.
Tulo recorded 231 at the Oceania Weightlifting Championship in Suva and increased this by 11kg after yesterday’s event in Rio.
His coach Joe Vueti said he was happy with his performance though he could have done better.
He said Tulo’s performance sets his record as the gold medal contender for the 2018 Commonwealth Games provided he maintained his consistency in training.
“I am happy with Manueli’s performance. It’s just some technical errors in his muscular attempts which really could give better results, but 242 is his personal best compared with the last Olympics where he recorded 233.
“Olympics is the ultimate we have done our part and that is best Manu can do and that is it, I am happy,” said Vueti.
Vueti said training in Noumea had paid off and the next focus was the Commonwealth Games in 2018.
“At the moment we are number one ranking at the Commonwealth Games and we are happy with his performance.”
Team Fiji section manager Atma Maharaj commended Tulo for his effort.
“We are fairly happy he came fifth in this session though we know he could have done better.
Meanwhile, Apolonia Vaivai will compete tomorrow.
