After a quick turnaround from the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, Kiwi weightlifter David Liti said he is healthier and fitter heading into Paris.
The Aucklander is set to compete in his second Olympic Games and said that the lead up to Paris has been full steam ahead.
“With the one year delay for Tokyo, everything has been back to back to back, so it's coming fast and I'm excited to get to Paris.”
"It’s been a long qualifying period, it was 18 months long and we had to compete at least five times," said Liti.
The 27-year-old qualified for the Paris Games in February at the 2024 Oceania Championship after a strong combined total of 413kg from the snatch lift and clean and jerk.
“My best total was at the Oceania championship in Auckland in February, which pushed me through to secure my spot over the Samoan in the continental spot for the Olympics," said Liti.
Liti said he enjoyed his Tokyo Games experience but said he wants to get a better feel of an Olympic experience at his second Games.
Liti took home gold and silver medals from the last two Commonwealth Games and wants to build on his fifth-place finish at the Tokyo Olympics. He achieved a combined total of 414kg, after he lifted 178kg in the snatch and recorded a personal best of 236kg in the clean and jerk.
However, despite the quick three-year turnaround for this year's edition of the Games, Liti says it hasn’t affected his preparation.
“If you're in sports and you don't like having the pressure, I'm not sure sports are for you,” said Liti.
He said his preparation for this year's Games has given him more confidence.
“I've found it good, we've managed to work around all the hurdles we’ve come across.”
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