Exciting Contests
p. 31 · Read in the full issue
In Weightlifting
Weightlifting, a new item on the programme since the Suva Games, did not attract much public attention in Noumea. But for those who saw it —if they understood what was in volved—there were some exciting events.
WEIGHTLIFTING is conducted on similar lines to the discus, shot put or javelin events. There are three types of lift—the press, the snatch, and the clean and jerk—and each competitor has three attempts at each.
The greatest weight he lifts in each section represents his score for that section, and his total score is the total of his three best lifts in the three sections.
Thus, it is possible for a competitor to be trailing his opponents in the first two sections, but to win the event with an outstanding lift in the third.
This actually happend a couple of times in Noumea. In the bantam weight event, S. Nair (Fiji) was 7.5 kilos behind G. Seeto (P-NG) after the first two lifts, but finished 10 kilos ahead of him to win the gold medal.
The middleweight event, with seven men competing, was also an exciting one, with P. Wallwork (Western Samoa) coming from behind to win.
Three of the Fiji representatives went down with food poisoning soon after their arrival in Noumea; and one of them, Adi Narayan, had to pull out of the featherweight event after the press and snatch because he was too weak to carry on.