Five weightlifting athletes have been selected to the New Zealand Team for the Tokyo Olympic Games.
The weightlifting team is Kanah Andrews-Nahu (women’s -87kg), Laurel Hubbard (women’s +87kg), Megan Signal (women’s -76kg), David Liti (men’s +109kg) and Cameron McTaggart (men’s -81kg)
Each of the athletes will make their Olympic debut in Tokyo but bring with them significant international experience.
Olympic Weightlifting New Zealand (OWNZ) President Richie Patterson acknowledged the achievements of the selected lifters. “These athletes have all worked extremely hard to get to this point. It’s huge for New Zealand to have five athletes selected, this is our biggest ever Olympic weightlifting team and we’re really looking forward to seeing what they can do in Tokyo,” he said.
New Zealand Olympic Committee (NZOC) CEO Kereyn Smith extended her congratulations to the athletes.
“Well done on your selection to the New Zealand Team for Tokyo 2020,” said Smith.
“We know a huge amount of work has gone into getting you to this point. We’d like to wish you all the best for the rest of your preparation, and we look forward to seeing you compete in just over a month’s time.”
David Liti
Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games gold medallist, David Liti says making the Olympic team is a dream come true.
“A huge amount of hard work, tears, blood, sweat and dedication has gone into getting me here and it’s a privilege to represent my family, country and heritage,” said the 24-year-old.
“I can’t wait to get there and compete, I’ve been working towards this moment for so long it’s hard to believe it’s almost here.”
The South Auckland lifter is coached by Tina Ball and has a personal best of a 182kg snatch and 232kg clean and jerk, for a 414kg total.
Kanah Andrews-Nahu
Fellow Aucklander, Kanah Andrews-Nahu is regarded as the future face of weightlifting in New Zealand and will be gaining valuable Games experience at Tokyo ahead of what is expected to be an exciting career.
The 20-year-old began lifting as a teenager after going to a crossfit class with her mum. Since then she’s broken almost 200 New Zealand weightlifting records, won a bronze medal at the Buenos Aires Youth Olympic Games, and won gold at IWF World Junior Championships (New Zealand’s first ever world lifting gold).
“I feel very honored to be selected to my first Olympic team,” said Andrews-Nahu.
“This has been a dream of mine for a long time and I’m really looking forward to wearing the silver fern and competing at the Olympic level.”
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Cameron McTaggart
Andrews-Nahu trains alongside Olympic teammate Cameron McTaggart with the pair coached by Richie Patterson.
McTaggart holds six New Zealand records, as well as two Oceania records in the 81kg class - 169kg in the clean and jerk, and a 310kg total.
Megan Signal
McTaggart and Andrews-Nahu will be joined by their Samoa 2019 Pacific Games teammate 31-year-old Megan Signal, who is coached by Simon Kent.
The East-Tamaki lifter came to weightlifting late in life and only began competing in her mid-20s. Since then, she’s gone from strength to strength and is the current holder of seven NZ records and two Oceania records.
Laurel Hubbard
Laurel Hubbard is heading for her first Olympic Games having made a remarkable come-back to her sport following significant injury in 2018.
The lifter, who hails from Auckland, returned to competition in 2019 and performed strongly throughout the rest of the year and into 2020. Hubbard has been confirmed eligible having met the IWF, IOC and NZOC eligibility criteria, including IWF eligibility criteria for athletes who transition from male to female based on IOC Consensus Statement guidelines.
On hearing of her selection, Hubbard highlighted the challenges she had faced in her journey to the Olympic Games. Thanking her supporters, she also reflected on the strength of community that has been evident during the Covid-19 Pandemic.
“I am grateful and humbled by the kindness and support that has been given to me by so many New Zealanders,” said Hubbard.
“When I broke my arm at the Commonwealth Games three years ago, I was advised that my sporting career had likely reached its end. But your support, your encouragement, and your aroha carried me through the darkness.
“The last eighteen months has shown us all that there is strength in kinship, in community, and in working together towards a common purpose. The mana of the silver fern comes from all of you and I will wear it with pride.”
NZOC CEO Kereyn Smith says Hubbard will be welcomed to the New Zealand Team.
“As well as being among the world’s best for her event, Laurel has met the IWF eligibility criteria including those based on IOC Consensus Statement guidelines for transgender athletes. We acknowledge that gender identity in sport is a highly sensitive and complex issue requiring a balance between human rights and fairness on the field of play.
“As the New Zealand Team, we have a strong culture of manaaki and inclusion and respect for all. We are committed to supporting all eligible New Zealand athletes and ensuring their mental and physical wellbeing, along with their high-performance needs, while preparing for and competing at the Olympic Games are met.”
Olympic Weightlifting New Zealand President Richie Patterson says Hubbard has worked extremely hard to qualify for the Olympic Games.
"Laurel has shown grit and perseverance in her return from a significant injury and overcoming the challenges in building back confidence on the competition platform," said Patterson.
"Laurel is an astute student of the sport and technically very good with the lifts. We look forward to supporting her in her final preparations towards Tokyo.”
The selection of the weightlifters takes the total number of athletes selected to the New Zealand Team to 133.