BY RICHARD MENANOPO
Honiara-based weightlifting star Jenly Tegu Wini has departed for Canada to compete in the Canadian Weightlifting Championships and the 2026 Commonwealth Games qualification event.
The Solomon Islands Weightlifting Federation (SIWF) confirmed that Wini left Honiara on Sunday for the tournament, which will run from May 15 to 17 in Canada.
SIWF Secretary General Apollos Saeg said the federation decided to send Wini following her impressive performances at recent regional competitions.
“This will give her a chance to qualify for or be offered a wild card to the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow in July,” Saeg said.
He said Wini recently competed at the Universal Weightlifting Cup, the Oceania Senior, Junior and Youth Championships, and the Commonwealth Junior and Youth Championships in Apia, Samoa from April 27 to May 2.
According to Saeg, Wini competed in the women’s 53kg category in both the Universal Weightlifting Cup and the Oceania Senior Championships, collecting a bronze medal at the Universal Cup and a gold medal at the Oceania Senior division.
Saeg also acknowledged the efforts of three other Solomon Islands athletes who competed in Samoa — Guy Saeg, Shimara Wini and Freeman Hale Aumalefo.
He said Guy Saeg competed in the men’s 60kg category, Shimara Wini in the women’s 63kg division, while Aumalefo featured in the men’s 71kg category in the senior, junior and youth competitions.
“Aumalefo won two gold medals in the Oceania Junior and Youth division and two silver medals in the Commonwealth Junior and Youth category,” Saeg said.
However, the SIWF official revealed that financial constraints forced the federation to withdraw two athletes and one coach before the final entry deadline for the Canada event.
“Due to the financial situation facing SIWF, the federation decided to withdraw the other two athletes and one coach before the final entry deadline,” he explained.
Saeg thanked private businessman and SIWF executive member Michael Chan, the National Sports Council, Central Bank Governor Luke Forau, Christine Anita, John Prasad and John Wong for assisting with funding support towards Wini’s trip.
He added that SIWF and the National Sports Council jointly covered the remaining costs in line with NSC funding arrangements for national sporting federations competing overseas.
The updated SIWF press release was circulated yesterday through the National Sports Council Media and Communications Office following clarification of an earlier error relating to an athlete’s weight category in a previously distributed version.
Photo credit: NSC
For feedback, contact: [email protected]
Editor: [email protected]
