Russian-born Stanislav Chalaev has been selected as a member of the weightlifting team to represent New Zealand at the Commonwealth Games in Delhi this October.
Chalaev, who was earlier this year awarded a $20,000 grant from Cadbury to fund his Commonwealth dream, moved to New Zealand from Russia at age twelve and took up weightlifting to connect with his homeland. Today at 24 years old he was named as member of seven-strong weightlifting team representing his new country.
The team also includes Olympians Mark Spooner and Richard (Richie) Patterson. Chalaev finished third in the 2009 Commonwealth Championships and second at the Oceania Championships in 2010. Chalaev, Spooner and Patterson are three of the strongest prospects in the team that also includes some young athletes that have shown significant recent improvements.
Executive Officer of Olympic Weightlifting New Zealand, Terry Hughes, is excited about the team. Were delighted to have put together a team with some real potential. Its the largest Commonwealth team weve fielded since 1990. This is a direct result of continued development in the sport over the past eight years, he said. Our youngest team member Lou Guinares is just nineteen years old and has increased his lift by a huge 10% in the last six months. Hes a young guy with plenty of talent. Cameron Sinclair is another young up and coming athlete and has increased his by lift 5%.
It is not just the young weightlifters showing improvement. Kate Howard is heading for her third Commonwealth Games and at 31 years of age has continued to show steady gains. She represented Wales at Manchester 2002 and Melbourne 2006 and subsequently moved to New Zealand. The other female team member, Tracey Lambrechs, is strong super-heavyweight contender.
The weightlifting team to Delhi is:
Men
Lou Guinares, under 56kg, 19yrs, Auckland
Cameron Sinclair, under 62kg, 23 yrs, Christchurch
Mark Spooner, under 69kg, 26 yrs, Auckland
Richard Patterson, under 85kg, 27yrs, Auckland
Stanislav Chalaev, under 105kg, 24yrs, Auckland
Women
Kate Howard, under 53kg, 31yrs, Auckland
Tracey Lambrechs, over 75kg, 25yrs, Auckland
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