Kari secures 3 gold medals

PNG’s Commonwealth champion weightlifter, Steven Kari, has added three more gold medals to Team PNG’s hunt at the VAN2017 Pacific Mini Games.

Kari lifted a total of 350kg in the men’s 94kg weight division.

It has been 8 months since Kari has gotten back into action, training hard at the Oceania Weightlifting Institute in New Caledonia under Paul Coffa.

His lift in the snatch was a walk in the park as he took on the challenge from Samoan lifter Siaosi Leuo.

Kari’s first attempt saw him lift 145kg, his second attempt he managed 150kg and his third attempt of 155kg was a good lift in which he secured the first gold medal.

The clean and jerk was the event that tested Kari’s fitness after being out of action for two years. However, the Commonwealth gold medallist was determined to use this event to measure his fitness.

Kari’s first attempt in the clean and jerk saw him lift 195kg, which his Samoan opponent couldn’t beat.

Kari’s attempt to break the Games record of 204kg was not successful as he settled for 202kg, his best lift so far.

With a total lift of 350kg, Steven Kari took out three gold medals and will use this as a stepping stone to defending his gold medal at the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games.

Author: 
Sophie Yaruso