Fiji has won the bid to host the Oceania Weightlifting Championships next year.

This was confirmed by Oceania Weightlifting Championship Chairman and Oceania National Olympic Committee (ONOC) President, Dr Robin Mitchell.

PACNEWS reports that Fiji along with Australia, Samoa and Papua New Guinea bid for the championships that will be held in May 2016.

Mitchell says the Oceania Championships in Fiji is the Olympic qualifier for Rio Olympics.

Up to 24 nations could be competing as it’s an Olympic qualifying event, tied in with Oceania events.

Meanwhile, Mitchell has also commended Fijian weightlifter Manueli Tulo for winning Fiji’s first gold for these games.