Record entries for the 2019 OTIP Program
The eighth edition of the Oceania Talent Identification Program (OTIP) has reached a record number of 9156 entries from 13 countries this year (5151 boys and 4005 girls)!
Solomon Islands
In 2012, Dr Tamas Ajan, President of the IWF launched the first OTIP program organized by the Oceania Weightlifting Federation with the aim to identify talented students throughout the schools of the Oceania region, and in particular the Pacific Island nations.
Thirteen countries took part in the program: Australia, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Niue, Cook Islands, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea, Nauru, Kiribati, Guam and CNMI.
This year, Kiribati’s pride lifter, 2019 Pacific Games winner and multiple international champions, KATOATAU David took on the duty to travel around the islands to promote the sport of weightlifting and the OTIP program. David is well known for his contribution to his community and the common good, he was named as an Oceania National Olympic Committees (ONOC) ambassador for climate change last year.
This OWF school initiative has been the backbone of the development of champions in the Oceania region in recent years. This program organised by the OWF is financially supported by the IWF. Many students who have been identified through the OTIP program by their own federations are now lifting in national and international events including the Commonwealth and Olympic Games.
