Tongan super-heavyweight weightlifter Maamaloa Lolohea made his début at a major international tournament in 2002, when he placed sixth at that year’s Commonwealth Games. The following year he earned gold at both the South Pacific Game and South Pacific Championships, but he just missed the podium in fourth at the 2006 Commonwealth Games. He made his only Olympic appearance in 2008, where he finished 13th among 14 competitors, but nonetheless carried Tonga’s flag in the closing ceremony. He retired shortly after taking bronze at the 2009 Pacific Mini Games, and later turned to coaching, including a lengthy stint with the Tongan national team.
Tonga