Four years after winning Commonwealth Games gold for Fiji, Eileen Cikamatana headlines Australia's weightlifting team for Birmingham, where she could become the first woman to claim gold for two different countries.
On Tuesday, 100 days out from the start of the Birmingham Games on July 28, 11 weightlifters were announced as the first Australian team members.
Cikamatana claimed gold in the 90kg on the Gold Coast as an 18-year-old, then switched to competing for Australia, becoming a citizen in 2019 via a distinguished talent visa.
Ineligible to compete in green and gold at the Tokyo Olympics as it came too soon after her switch, Cikamatana will feature in the 87kg classification in Birmingham.
"To get that opportunity to represent another country, especially Australia, where you get respected for what you do, it is a dream come true," Cikamatana said.
"No words can describe the feeling of it.
"You lift to get more medals, break records and make the country proud, and I'm appreciative of the opportunity that they've given me."
Also competing for Australia for the first time after previously claiming a medal for a different country is Charisma Amoe-Tarrant in the over-87kg category.
Amoe-Tarrant moved to Australia in 2012 but previously represented Nauru, winning a silver medal in the over-90kg class in 2018.
Brandon Wakeling, a proud Wonnarua man, finished seventh in the 69kg on the Gold Coast but has moved up to the 73kg event in his bid for gold.
Ridge Barredo, eighth in the 105kg class four years ago, will compete in the 96kg category.
There are seven Commonwealth Games debutants on the 2022 weightlifting team.
They include former sprinter and bobsledder Ebony Gorincu from Queensland and West Australian Royal Australian Navy instructor Suamili Nanai.
Australia has competed in weightlifting at every edition of the games and is the most successful country, winning 154 medals, of which 58 have been gold.
"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.," chef de mission Petria Thomas said.
AUSTRALIA'S WEIGHTLIFTING TEAM IN BIRMINGHAM
* Charisma Amoe-Tarrant, women's 87kg+, 22yo, second Commonwealth Games, first for Australia
* Eileen Cikamatana, women's 87kg, 22yo, second Games, first for Australia
* Sarah Cochrane, women's 64kg, 32yo, debut
* Kiana Elliott, women's 71kg, 24yo, debut
* Ebony Gorincu, women's 76kg, 32yo, debut
* Brenna Kean, women's 59kg, 27yo, debut
* Ridge Barredo, men's 96kg, 26yo, second Games
* Kyle Bruce, men's 81kg, 22yo, debut
* Suamili Nanai, men's 109kg+, 27yo, debut
* Brandon Wakeling, men's 73kg, 28yo, second Games
* Jackson Young, men's 109kg, 25yo, debut
