Pacific Games - Team PNG

He made the comment after the host nation collected four gold and one silver medals in the four events earlier.

Upston said he "felt emotional" because of the effort put into by the lifters.

 He said that he had faith in the power lifters to make the country proud.

"(Lifters) trusted in the programs, believed in themselves and it paid dividend,’’ he said.

 The contracted coach also challenged  the national government to support the code so its potential can be seen.

The competition is being held at the PNG Power Dome (Sir John Guise Indoor Complex).

In opening session, the weight divisions of 47kg (women), 52kg (women), 57kg (women) and 59kg (men) lifted the bar to find the champions.

In the women's 47kg, it was a guarantee first, second, finish for PNG as only two competitors were on the card.

Hitolo Kevau grabbed gold and team mate Navili Benson settled for silver.

Kevau lifted a combined squat, bench press and dead lift total of 240kg, and Benson managed 234kg.