The 2010 Oceania Weightlifting Championship gets underway this afternoon in Suva with world ranked pacific lifters from 18 countries taking part.

The championship, which Fiji is hosting for the third time, is  also the qualification for the Youth Olympic Games which will be held in Singapore in August.

President of Weightlifting Fiji Atma Maharaj said the championship will showcase the best talents from Oceania and has urged people to come out in numbers and witness the four day event.

Veteran lifter Joe Vueti, Manueli Tulo and Maria Liku will spearhead Fiji=s campaign. Tulo will be the first one to compete today in the 50 to 56kg category.

Meanwhile President Ratu Epeli Nailatikau will officially open the championship at 5pm today at the Yat San Secondary School Hall.