Calvino boosts her Olympic chances (From Wandsworth Guardian)

Croydon weightlifter Calvino boosts Olympic chances

10:58am Thursday 12th April 2012 in Sport By Andrew Bloss

Croydon weightlifter Joanna Calvino smashed the record books and achieved the Olympic B qualifying standard at the European Weightlifting Championships on Monday.

Calvino lifted a record breaking 66kg in the snatch and 84kg in the clean and jerk, giving her a total of 150kg in the 48kg competition. It was the exact amount needed to make the B standard, which means Calvino has put herself firmly in the hunt for a place at the London Olympics.

Crystal Palace duo Halil Zorba (77kg) and Emily Godley (63kg) are also competing in Turkey.

Both are lifting today and already have the B standard but need to back it up with a good performance at a major championship if they are to be among the six British weightlifters selected for the Games.

“This is a crucial time for any athlete who hopes to be selected for the London Olympics,” said British weightlifting performance manager Fiona Lothian.

“Many have reached the Olympic qualifying standards in training – but it only counts if they do it in top-level competition.”