Godwin Eki – EMTV Sports, Port Moresby
Team Lae arrived in Port Moresby today (04 October,2018) ahead of this weekend’s National Powerlifting Championships.
The team, consisting of thirteen athletes and headed by experienced lifters Livingstone Sikoli and Belinda Umang, brought with them their youngest lifter, thirteen-year-old Elizabeth Nabi, who is looking forward to competing in the nationals for the first time.
Thirteen of Lae’s strongest men and women arrived in Port Moresby today accompanied by their Team Doctor and Ref for the National Powerlifting Championships which will run from this Saturday, and end on Sunday.
One of the most experienced athletes and technical officers in the sport, Livingstone Sikoli says the team has prepared well for the event, and they are hoping to collect medals in all categories.
Leading the female powerlifters is PNG Rep Belinda Umang, who is hoping not only to compete, but also to show and teach younger athletes her experience in the sport.
The youngest athlete in the team is 13-year-old Elizabeth Nabo, who only recently joined the sport of powerlifting this year. Elizabeth, who is competing in the 47kg, says she’s too nervous to compete in the nationals as it is her first time.
Most of the athletes in the team are made up of athletes who participated in last year’s PNG Games in Kimbe.
Other centres participating in this year’s Nationals are Goroka, Mouth Hagen, NCD and Central.
The event will be used by PNG Power Lifting federation to make selections for next year’s Pacific Games in Samoa.
