BY JOHN HOUANIHAU
SOLOMON Islands duo weightlifters and XVII Pacific Games 2023 medallists Lorah Maelosia and Philip Masi hope to make a difference in future weightlifting competitions after both bagging medals at the Games.
Maelosia won three Silver medals, lifting a total of 170kg (76kg snatch and 83kg clean and jerk), whilst Masi competing in the 55kg Men’s Division won a Silver and two Bronze medals from his ‘Snatch’ and ‘Clean and Jerk’ at Maranatha Hall earlier this week.
Maelosia, 17, told RAW SPORTS, she is proud of her achievements being able make debut and win triple silver medals at the Games.
“I want to stay in this category and hope do well in the future, my aim is to replace our gold medalist (Jenlyn) in the particular 55kg category,” said Maelosia from Fulifo’a village in the West Kwara’’ae constituency, Malaita Province.
Dubbed the new Wini, she thanked her local supporters for their strong support throughout her scheduled competitions, and more especially her coaching staffs.
Lorah has won medals in other regional championships admitting for Pacific Games this is the first time for her to win medals. She has already won several medals in weightlifting championships around the world, including a gold medal in the under 23 weightlifting championship in Australia this year. She also won a silver medal in India earlier this year and recently scooped three gold medals in Samoa.
20-year-old Phillip Masi is of mixed Malaita and Guadalcanal province descent described his disappointment having not able to win gold at the weightlifting event but said he is hopeful to learn from his experience and improve here.
“My mental focus was to scoop the gold at the Games, but then it didn’t not work out as expected. My next focus is to learn from my experience and to work extra harder and improve on my weak areas.
“All credit to my weightlifting coaching staff for their technical support all throughout my early preparations and scheduled competitions
“My focus after the Pacific Games is to continue with my trainings with the aim to qualify for the next Olympic Games in Paris, France,” he said.
At the Commonwealth Games 2024 in Birmingham, England, last year, Masi made his debut to compete against the best weightlifters in the world in the men’s 55-kg clean and jerk event.
He benefited from his experience at the Commonwealth Games 2024, particularly at the XVII Pacific Games 2023 in Honiara this year. It was his first time competing against the most skilled and accomplished weightlifters in the world, and it was also his first time using the best competition facilities available.
