Two Commonwealth Games silver medallists are among those named to a twelve-strong weightlifting team for the Commonwealth Games, announced by the New Zealand Olympic Committee today.
Olympian Richard Patterson (85kg) and heavyweight lifter Stanislav Chalaev (105kg) both won silver medals at Delhi 2010 and are looking to step even higher in Glasgow this July.
Patterson who also represented New Zealand at both the London and Beijing Olympic Games says hes excited to be given another opportunity to win Commonwealth gold.
I had my heart set on the gold in 2010 and I didnt know if Id ever have an opportunity to go for it again, he said on his selection today.
Glasgow is a chance for me to stand at the very top of the dais.
The Auckland cross-fit business owner says hes in the best form of his career and its now about ensuring he gets to Glasgow in top condition.
Its now about staying injury free, keeping a positive attitude and delivering the lifts I know Im capable of, he said.
Patterson is currently ranked number one in the Commonwealth, a position he has held for the past two years. He also won gold in his class at the recent Oceania championships in New Caledonia where he broke the New Zealand snatch record with a 156kg lift.
Joining Patterson and Chalaev is another lifter with an eye to unfinished business. Beijing Olympian and Delhi Commonwealth Games lifter Mark Spooner has made a come-back from retirement and is aiming for a Glasgow medal.
A qualified boat builder and super-yacht skipper, Spooner has returned to the sport in top form, proving it with a win in his class in the Oceania Championships in May.
The mens team also includes 2018 medal potential Matthew Madsen (23 years, 77kg) as well as 21-year old Saxon Gregory-Hunt, the Guinares brothers Lou (24) and Ianne (26) and 24-year old Cody Cole.
Weightlifting New Zealand HP Director John Moss is delighted with the calibre of athletes named for Glasgow and says each of the men selected are current New Zealand record holders.
Its a team of national record breakers and shows the depth in the sport at the moment. It is our largest team ever and is also the first time in 40 years that the sport has fielded a full mens team. That's a huge achievement and well be going for the team title in Glasgow, too.
Four women have also been named to the team including Delhi competitor Tracey Lambrechs in the 75+kg category and newcomer Phillipa Hale who is touted after just two years in the sport as one of New Zealands most talented weightlifters.
Hale is engaged to Patterson and together they co-own Functional Strength Cross-Fit on Aucklands North Shore. Aucklands Lauren Roberts (63kg) and Marlborough lifter Bailey Rogers (75kg) complete the team.
At twelve lifters, the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games team is the largest ever. Delhi 2010 fielded seven in the weightlifting team.
New Zealand has won 36 medals in weightlifting at the Commonwealth Games. The weightlifting team named for Glasgow 2014 is:
Women:
Men
More about the athletes
Women
Philippa Hale, 29 years, 53 kg, born Auckland, resides Auckland, CW rank 5, two years in the sport.
Tracey Lambrechs, 28 years, 75+kg, Delhi 2010, born South Africa, resides Auckland, CW ranking 3
Bailey Rogers 23 years, 75kg, born and resides Marlborough, CW ranking 8
Lauren Roberts 29 years, 63kg, born and resides Auckland, CW ranking 8
Men
Richard Patterson (Richie), 31 years, 85kg, Beijing 2008, London 2008, Melbourne 2006, Silver medal Delhi 2010, born and resides Auckland (Torbay), CW ranking 1st , Gold Oceania Championships 2014
Mark Spooner 29 years, 69kg, born and resides Auckland, 2006 Melbourne, 2010 Delhi, Beijing 2008. CW ranking 4th , gold Oceania Championships 2014
Stanislav Chalaev, 27 years, 105kg, born Tomsk, Russia, resides Silverdale, Auckland, Delhi 2010, Silver Oceania Championships 2014
Matthew Madsen 23 years, 77kg, CW ranking 7th =
Ianne Guinares, 26 years, 62kg, born Cebu, Philippines, resides Auckland, CW ranking 8th
Cody Cole, 24 years, 69kg, born Hamilton, resides Mairangi Bay, Auckland, CW ranking 8th
Saxon Gregory-Hunt, 21, 85kg, born and resides Christchurch, CW ranking 8th =
Lou Guinares, 24, 56kg, Delhi 2010, born Cebu, Philippines, resides Auckland, CW ranking 8
More about the Team Title
The team title is up for grabs for nations represented in all categories. A matter of pride for the weightlifting community, it is not an official event and no medals are awarded.