Suamili Nanai becomes first WAIS athlete selected for 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games

Weightlifter Suamili Nanai is the first Western Australian athlete selected to the Australian Team for the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games.

Nani is part of an 11-strong weightlifting team that looks to continue Australia’s proud pedigree in the sport.

Away from weightlifting, Nanai is a Leading Seaman in the Royal Australian Navy and a combat systems operator who is an instructor at the Surface Maritime Warfare Centre at HMAS Stirling in Perth.

His journey in weightlifting started as part of a training regime while playing rugby as a member of the Australian Rugby Service Team for three consecutive years, which included a tour of Japan in 2019.

His strength and quick progress in the sport saw him change directions and has achieved Australia’s top ranking in the over-109kg class and gold at the Oceania Championships.

Australian Team Chef de Mission Petria Thomas OAM is thrilled for the 11 weightlifters who are the first members named for the Australian team bound for Birmingham.

“We’re delighted to announce our 11 weightlifters, the first Australian Team Members officially selected to compete at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games,” Thomas said.

“Our weightlifters are definitely ones to keep your eye on come August, with an exciting mix of returning alumni, some who are making their Commonwealth Games debut and two weightlifters who are representing Australia at the Commonwealth Games for the first time.

“Australia has enjoyed a great history in weightlifting at the Commonwealth Games, and I know these 11 Team Members will be bold, brave and brilliant in Birmingham.”