Commonwealth Games

Toua will be in action at the Games in the women's 53kg category at the NEC Arena in Birmingham, England.

Weightlifting will begin its competition on Saturday local time.

"My aim is to do my best and hopefully win a medal, that is the number one priority going into this competition," Toua, who win silver in 2018, told the Post Courier.

"Whether I win a silver or a gold medal, it doesn't matter, the biggest thing is winning and making my family and the nation proud of my achievement."

An understandable role model for an avid Manchester United fan, but the choice was partly out of necessity.

Housby did not see many sportswomen on screen or in the newspapers when she was a child.

But things have changed since then.

Four years ago, Housby became an icon for young netballers everywhere with a last-second goal to take a historic Commonwealth netball gold for England.

Later this month, England will bid to defend that title on home soil at the first Commonwealth Games with more medal events for women than men.

Coach Quincy Detenamo said most of the lifters will be competing for the first time in a Commonwealth Game and it will be a new and exciting experience for them.

Young Tido Ika is the youngest male lifter in team and it will be his first Commonwealth Games.

My-Only Stephen is the youngest female lifter and she is in the 55kg division. It is also her first Commonwealth Games.

The team is comprised of 5 sporting federations with officials and athletes.

The federations are weightlifting, boxing, judo, wrestling and athletics.

The 22 member team consists of 6 officials, 7 weightlifters, 2 boxers, 3 judokas, 1 wrestler and 3 athletes.

The host country has prepared 19 sporting events for the 72 participating Commonwealth countries from across the globe.

Hundreds of Armed Forces personnel will be deployed to Birmingham to support the West Midlands Police Security Operation, the biggest the region has seen.

An opening ceremony on Thursday 28 July will mark the start of the Commonwealth Games, featuring many of the Armed Forces personnel who are in Birmingham for ceremonial duties, civil engagement or competing as athletes.

The Band of HM Royal Marines will provide a fanfare of trumpeters during the ceremony.

The men's Sevens squad consists of six Olympic Gold medalists plus several from this year's World Rugby Sevens Series team.

Of those travelling, five were part of the Commonwealth Games in Australia four years ago.

Meanwhile, women's Sevens coach Saiasi Fuli has named a team that includes 10 bronze medalists from the Tokyo Olympic Games.

Veteran forward Rusila Nagasau will captain the side.

Men's coach Ben Gollings said he's confident for the Games with the talent he has been able to draw on.

The Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) have entered an 'exclusive dialogue' period with the state's authorities.

While a submission still has to be formally evaluated, Victoria is now likely to be officially confirmed as the host in April.

The Games would be primarily held in regional Victoria.

The news will come as a major relief to the CGF which had been trying to find a host to follow Birmingham.

Birmingham will stage the 2022 Games in July.

The 2022 Commonwealth Games Queen’s baton was mounted in front next to the altar of worship after touring around the entire Island.

The service was also attended by President Lionel Aingimea and Madam Ingrid Aingimea, Speaker of Parliament, Marcus Stephen, Minister of Health Isabella Dageago, Deputy Minister Asterio Appi, The Australian High Commissioner Dr. Helen Cheney, Taiwan Ambassador Dean Wang and the CGA Secretary General, Sean Oppenheimer.

Nauru Police said the baton was well received by the public and attracted a lot of attention during the tour.

He was awarded the David Dixon Award, given out at each Commonwealth Games.

The award is based on an athlete's performance at the event, fair play, and overall contribution to their team's participation at the Games. It is chosen by the Athletes' Advisory Commission.

In a speech at the closing ceremony, the Commonwealth Games Federation President, Louise Martin said Liti exhibited great sportsmanship and consideration for his fellow competitors while competing at the highest level.

"I can't describe it - it's been a great Games and this just tops it off", said Liti

Weightlifting led the way with 11 medals while boxing, lawn bowls, athletics, rugby sevens and beach volleyball combined for another seven.

The Pacific won 18 medals on the Gold Coast, their best return since winning 21 at the 2002 Games in Manchester.

Samoa was the region's top performer with two gold and three silver medals, their highest ever Commonwealth Games tally.

Papua New Guinea won three medals in weightlifting, including Steven Kari repeating his gold medal effort from 2014.