Honiara, Solomon Islands, Wednesday 13th May 2026 – Solomon Islands weightlifter Jenlyn Wini Tegu left for Canada on Sunday 10th May to compete in the Canadian Weightlifting Championships and the 2026 Commonwealth Games qualification events.
The tournament in Canada will run from Friday 15 May to Sunday 17 May 2026.
Solomon Islands Weightlifting (SIWF) Secretary General Apollos Saeg said given Jenlyn’s excellent performance and achievements, the federation decided to send her to the Weightlifting Championships and Commonwealth qualification events in Canada.
“This will give her a chance to qualify for or be offered a wild card to – the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow in July. She departed Honiara on Sunday 10th May at 11:20 am for Canada,” Mr Saeg said.
Mr Saeg said Jenly attended the Universal Weightlifting Cup, the Oceania Senior, Junior and Youth Championships, and the Commonwealth Junior and Youth Championships held in Apia, Samoa, from 27th April to 2nd May 2026.
He said she competed in the 53kg women’s category in the Universal Weightlifting Cup and the Oceania Senior Championships, winning one bronze medal (Universal Cup) and one gold medal (Oceania Senior category).
Mr Saeg said three other athletes Mr Guy Saeg, Ms Shirmara Wini and Mr Freeman Hale Aumalefo also took part in the same Championships in Samoa.
“Mr Saeg competed in the 60kg men’s category, Wini in the 63kg women’s category and Freeman Hale Aumalefo in the 71kg men’s category for Senior, Junior and Youth. Aumalefo won two gold medals (Oceania Junior & Youth) and two silver medals (Commonwealth Junior & Youth),” he said.
Mr Saeg said due to the financial situation facing SIWF, the federation decided to withdraw the other two athletes and one coach before the final entry deadline. As a result, they were unable to travel.
He said SIWF wishes to acknowledge private businessman and member of the SIWF Executive, Mr Michael Chan, the National Sports Council (NSC), Central Bank of Solomon Islands Governor Dr Luke Forau, Chritine Anita, John Prasad, John Wong for their support towards meeting 50 per cent of the cost of Jenlyn’s trip to compete in the Canadian Weightlifting Championships and the 2026 Commonwealth Games qualification events.
Mr Saeg said SIWF funded the other 50 per cent of the cost of the trip in accordance with the NSC policy on funding arrangements for the participation of athletes from each of its sporting federation in sporting events abroad.
