The waiting game is finally over for Kiwi weightlifter Richie Patterson who is part of a two-strong contingent selected to compete at the Beijing Olympics.

Patterson surpassed the qualifying mark when his eight-member team won the Oceania weightlifting championships in March, and celebrated his 25th birthday with the NZOC making his trip official at the Olympic team uniform launch on April 30.

It is the first time under the current qualifying system that two New Zealand men have qualified.

And it was a tremendous team effort that booked him his place.

With only four spots at the Olympics allocated to the Oceania region, Patterson and his New Zealand team needed to win to secure two berths.

Had the team finished second or third, only one or possibly none of the Kiwis would have qualified.

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Patterson even made a selfless decision to move up from his usual weight division of 77kg to 85kg, which he won, in an effort to accrue more team points.

It could have cost him his spot in Beijing.

But the tight team unit stepped up and came through for top prospects Patterson and Mark Spooner.

He put in an impressive combined snatch/clean and jerk total of 310kg.

Having competed at the 2006 Melbourne Commonwealth Games this will be Patterson's first Olympics, and he couldn't be happier.

"You dream of it as a kid. You see that dream coming to plan and then that plan becomes a reality. It's a great feeling," Patterson told tvnz.co.nz.

He will compete in the 77kg division while fellow team-mate Spooner will contest the lighter 69kg class.

Officially selected at the New Zealand team uniform launch, Patterson said while the Olympics will be a whole new challenge, his experience at the Commonwealth Games will be a big help.

"In Melbourne it was fantastic, I had about 3,000 Australians cheering for me because there was no Aussie in my weight class.

"It'll carry over but Beijing's a step up again. I just can't wait for the experience - take it in and enjoy it."

Patterson now heads off to Finland where he will undergo 10 weeks of intense training and competition.

He said it's always good to change the environment and especially with the changing seasons it will aid his preparation.

It's heading into the Scandinavian summer and Patterson will be able to escape the New Zealand winter which makes training more difficult.

In Beijing, Patterson is setting himself realistic targets with Kiwi national coach Ari Moilanen looking for him to build towards London 2012 and challenge for a medal.

"I'm setting myself targets, so I want around about 145 and 185(kg) in my lifts. That would set me up to do New Zealand records.

"I'm looking at personal goals rather than placings. My personal goals will lead to a placing so I'll be happy getting in the top 16 which is expected."