A Tongan-Australian Dr Lisimoni Kami joined weightlifting officials at the Rio Olympics 2016 as a doctor with the International Weightlifting Federation.

He told Matangi Tonga today that this is his second time officiating at the Olympics.

“It's an amazing opportunity, which I will treasure and hope will happen again. Rio has been friendly and the people are warm and accommodating, as only a few speak English."

He said the Olympic weightlifting has experienced a few injuries, including a couple of severe injuries but the athletes had recovered well.

Dr Kami who is also the medical doctor in charge of the Commonwealth and Oceania Weightlifting Federations said this is his eighth year with IWF. There will be an election next year for another term of four-years, he said.

From Tongoleleka and Pangai in Ha'apai, Dr Kami who lives in Brisbane travels frequently to Tonga where he owns the Village Mission Clinic in Tongatapu.