Micronesian Weightlifter Sets New Record at South Pacific Games in Samoa

Washington, D.C. (September 6, 2007) — As reported by Radio Australia, Micronesian (FSM) weightlifter, Manuel Minginfel, set a new South Pacific Games record snatch in the men's 56 kilo category - the first for his home islands of Micronesia. This record is also currently rated as top 6th in the world. Minginfel established the new South Pacific Games record in the men's 56kg division of weightlifting after lifting a total weight of 276kg to give FSM three gold medals.

After the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, Minginfel ranked as 11th in the world.  Last year, Minginfel was the highest internationally ranked weightlifter from the Oceania region (including Australia and New Zealand) after winning a silver medal at the 2006 IWF World Weightlifting Championships in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.  Minginfel has qualified and expects to be at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.

Minginfel hails from Yap in the Federated States of Micronesia, north of the equator, in the western pacific.  Yap is also known for its stone money, strong cultural traditions and diving with manta rays.

The 13th South Pacific Games in Samoa takes place over the next two weeks from 25 August to 8 September.  The schedule incorporates 33 sports with participants from 22 Pacific Island countries and territories, among which are American Samoa, Guam, Federated States of Micronesia, Marshall Islands, Northern Mariana Islands and Palau.

Pacific Island nations and territories
participating in the XIII South Pacific Games

American Samoa   Cook Islands   Fiji   Federated States of Micronesia   Guam    Kiribati   Marshall Islands   Nauru     New Caledonia   Niue   Norfolk Islands

Northern Marianas      Palau       Papua New Guinea    Samoa    Solomon Islands   Tahiti    Tokelau    Tonga    Tuvalu     Vanuatu      Wallis and Futuna

For more on the XIII South Pacific Games visit the official website at http://www.samoa2007.ws/index.php?id=21