2017 Pacific Mini Games

The men’s team went down to Fiji 2-1 (21-18, 21-18, 15-8) in what was a highly entertaining encounter.

But it was the Fijians who came back strong to win the deciding final set to book their spot at the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games.

Third place in the men’s went to Solomon Islands.

The Fijian women’s team will also be joining their men’s team in Gold Coast next year after defeating Solomon Islands 2-0 in the final playoff.

Solomon Islands settled for second place at the qualifiers while PNG finished third.

Papua New Guinea still maintains the lead with 14 gold medals, followed closely by Samoa with 13.

The weightlifters won a total of 14 gold and 4 silver at the VAN2017 Pacific Mini Games.

Lorraine Harry was the final competitor in weightlifting. She competed in the women’s 90kg division.

Harry won three silver medals, one in the snatch and clean and jerk, where she lifted 107kg with a total lift of 191kg.   

Team PNG weightlifters have wrapped up their performance at the VAN2017 Pacific Mini Games and headed back for the Oceania Weightlifting Institute in Noumea, New Caledonia.

Their focus now shifts to the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games in Australia.

The duo of Richard Kilarupa and Moha Mea booked the date with Fiji after overcoming Vanuatu 2-1 this morning.

The men’s final playoff will get underway at 6:30pm (Vanuatu time) at Korman Stadium.

The winner will book their place at the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games.

The current standings after day four:

Papua New Guinea still maintains a strong lead with 14 gold medals, followed a few paces back by Fiji with 9 gold medals.

Samoa is currently breathing down Fiji’s back with 8 gold medals whilst New Caledonia is sitting on fourth spot with 5 gold medals, followed closely by Solomon Islands with 4 gold medals.

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.

It showed during the flag raising ceremony that was held at the National Convention Centre in Port Vila on Sunday.

Team PNG athletes and officials sang the PNG national anthem loud and proud as a way of saying they are ready for the VAN2017 Pacific Mini Games.

Chef de Mission, Emma Waiwai, said the feeling in camp is high and positive and it was great to see everyone standing together and singing the national anthem.

All 23 countries gathered to witness the ceremony, which featured performances from cultural groups and local artists.

Athletes from 24 countries and territories will contest 14 different sports over the coming 12 days.

The athletes were formally welcomed to Vanuatu at a ceremony in the capital of Port Vila on Sunday, which featured a range of cultural performances, including a rousing rendition of the Mini Games theme song "Ignite the Spirit Within".

Football, tennis and table tennis take centre stage today.