“Kiwi Olympic Hopeful David Liti Wows Residents with Weightlifting Demo”
Residents at Logan Campbell Retirement Village were treated to an exciting weightlifting demonstration by David Liti, a newly-announced Olympic hopeful from New Zealand. Liti, who will compete in the men’s 102+kg division at the Paris Olympics, showcased his impressive lifting skills to a captivated audience.
With gathered media and a packed village center, Liti demonstrated three ‘clean and jerk’ lifts, reaching up to 140kg on his third attempt. While this drew gasps from the residents, it was a far cry from his incredible lifts of 236kg at Tokyo and 178kg in the ‘snatch’ category.
Joined by his coach Tina Ball, Liti encouraged residents to practice the required moves using a lighter bamboo stick. The event culminated in a group photo, where 98-year-old sports enthusiast Mary Cutler shared a heartwarming moment with Liti, despite the stark contrast in their sizes.
Mary, who expressed admiration for Liti’s personality, also joined him in a TikTok dance, joking that her family would tease her for her enthusiastic participation.
Another resident, John Mead, took the opportunity to interview Liti, describing him as approachable and easy to talk to. Legacy weightlifting Olympian John Bolton presented Liti with a silver fern, marking his official selection for the Paris Olympics.
Addressing the residents, CEO and Secretary General of the New Zealand Olympic Committee Nicki Nicol commended Ryman Healthcare for their support in sending athletes to the Olympics. Nicol highlighted New Zealand’s proud history of weightlifting at the Games and expressed confidence in Liti’s abilities.
Liti’s coach, Tina Ball, described him as cheeky, fun, and fiercely competitive, reflecting on their journey to qualify for the Olympics. Liti, born in New Zealand but raised in Tonga, expressed gratitude for the opportunity to represent his country on the Olympic stage once again, despite the unexpected path that led him to weightlifting.
