Rio role for lifting guru

PROUD: Jacob Lawgun is heading for Rio as the assistant coach for the Olympic weightlifting team.PHOTO/SUPPLIED

Jacob Lawgun is the latest addition to the Rio coaching staff.

Lawgun has been named as assistant coach for the Olympic weightlifting team for Brazil.

The co-owner of Far North Crossfit, Lawgun will join head coach Adam Storey, and lifters Richie Patterson and Tracey Lambrechs on the plane to South America.

Lawgun said he was honoured to be going to the prestigious event.

"It's a great privilege to go. Having the backing from the New Zealand Olympic Board and the weightlifting team is awesome," he said. "To me, this is huge."

Patterson competes in the 85kg men's class on August 12, while Lambrechs competes in the 75kg+ class on August 14.

Lawgun said he would perform assistant duties.

"I'll be in a back up role, assisting Adam in any way I can. I'll discuss strategies with both Adam and the lifters while there," he said. "I'll be an extra pair of eyes for Adam, which will be important when he is focused on stuff."

Lawgun has not begun his preparations for the Games quite yet.

"I'm just letting everything sink in at the moment," he said.

"Once our preparations begin, Adam and I will start our research into the lifter's direct competition."

Meanwhile, 2009 Legends of Northland Sport inductee James Morris will also head to Rio.

The table tennis great will go to the Olympics as an official for the sport.