Weightlifter David Liti will be chasing a personal best when he represents New Zealand at the Olympic Games in Paris.
Twenty-seven-year-old Liti has today been named to the New Zealand Team, to compete in the men’s +102kg division.
LATEST HEADLINES:
“It’s massive to be going to my second Olympics,” said Liti.
“I never dreamed I’d be going to two. I’m blessed to do what I love to my full potential and I’m excited to get over there and represent everyone who’s been a part of this journey.”
Liti finished fifth in Tokyo Olympics +109kg event.
He recently lifted a combined total 413kg at the Oceania Championships and feels he is in good form.
“I’m feeling strong. I finished this Oceania qualifying period lifting way more than I was at the start and I’m tracking well to do some big numbers by Paris.”
The South Auckland lifter is known for walking around the Olympic village with a boom box and telling athletes from other nations that he’s a 100m sprinter.
“I might say I’m a cyclist at this Olympics, just because of Tour de France. Or maybe I’ll tell everyone I’m a professional croissant eater.”
Liti is coached by Tina Ball and has a personal best of a 182kg snatch and 232kg clean and jerk, for a 414kg total. Ball says she’s incredibly proud of Liti.
“This is a testament to all the hard work he’s put in,” said Ball.
“To get the opportunity to showcase what he can do, and provide inspiration to young people is pretty special and I’m really excited for him.”
Liti is a two-time Commonwealth Games medallist, having won gold at Gold Coast 2018 and silver at Birmingham 2022.
The men’s +102kg weightlifting will be contested on Saturday August 10th. The selection is conditional on confirmation of an Olympic quota place.