Morea Baru is a weightlifter, who represents Papua New Guinea. He won silver in the Men’s weightlifting in the 61 kg weight category, beating India’s Gururaja Poojary who reached third place. He ultimately lost to Malaysian weightlifter Muhamad Aznil Bin Bidin.

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Morea Baru was born on April 15, 1990, in Papua New Guinea. He is one of the best weightlifters from Oceania, winning five golds and a silver in the nine Oceania Championships he participated in, from 2010 to 2018. 

The 37-year-old is one of the most successful weightlifters in the Pacific Games, where he has won two golds (2015, 2019) and one silver (2011) in the three times he has participated in the event.

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He has participated in two Olympics, the 2016 Rio Olympics and 2020 Tokyo Olympics. He finished his Rio Olympics with his personal best of 290 kgs (126 kgs snatch and 164 kgs Clean & Jerk). He again participated in the COVID-19-affected Tokyo Olympics but was ranked 10th. He lifted a total weight of 265 kgs (118 kgs snatch and 147 kgs Clean & Jerk).

The 37-year-old made debut in the Commonwealth Games, when he participated in the 2010 Commonwealth Games, New Delhi in 56 kg weight category. He has since participated in three more Commonwealth Games competing in 62 kg category.

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Morea Baru entered the 2022 Commonwealth Games, Birmingham as one of the leading medal contenders. After an exciting fight between him and Malaysian weightlifter Muhamad, the Papua New Guinean took home silver with 273 kgs (121 kgs snatch and 152 kgs Clean & Jerk). Aznil Bidin gave Malaysia its second gold in the 2022 Commonwealth Games right after compatriot Bin Kasdan Mohamad Aniq won the Men’s 55kg event in weightlifting too.