ETOUNDI WINS GOLD FOR AUSTRALIA Australian weightlifter Francois Etoundi has shown he’s on track for a medal at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games by winning gold at the Oceania Championships in New Caledonia. But the Cameroon-born lifter gave his supporters some anxious moments, missing his first two clean and jerk lifts before winning the 77kg gold with his final lift. Etoundi lifted a total of 304kg to win the competition, but will need to lift more in Glasgow if he’s to be a serious medal contender. He was a long way ahead of the field after the snatch section, lifting 140kg with the next best weight 126kg. But when he missed his first two clean and jerks at 164kg it was feared he had blown his chances. He finally got the all clear with his third attempt, and even thoug it was well behind Samoan Toafitu Perive’s 172kg, his combined total gave him a 7kg victory. Team manager Rob Mitchell says Etoundi had excuses. “He was lifting with a bit of a shoulder injury,” Mitchell said. “But he warmed up really well, he’s been training well, his body language was good. He just couldn’t get it going with the first two jerks.” Etoundi suffered a major disappointment at the Delhi Commonwealth Games four years ago when he suffered a major injury during competition. The 29-year-old has vowed to make amends this year. Etoundi was one of three Cameroon weightlifters who sought asylum in Australia after the Melbourne Commonwealth Games in 2006. Another of the trio, Delhi gold medalist Simplice Ribouem, will lift for Oceania gold tomorrow.
Posted on: Thu, 29 May 2014 14:25:01 +0000
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