Andrew strikes gold again

 REIGNING Pacific Games gold medallist powerlifter in the men’s 59kg division Kalau Andrew has done it again – claiming gold yesterday.

Kalau said he was determined to win and did not see it as a fluke but the result of the time and effort he dedicated to training. 

He said the way he used to lift had changed from four years ago after competing in Noumea, New Caledonia. 

“I have seen a lot of progress in my lifting technique and I am glad that I have maintained that to win gold,” he said.

“In Noumea my total lift was 425kg but with this lift I have made a big improvement of 462.5kg.

“The win is the result of the training that I do every day.

“I have made praying become part of my training routine. Before I start training I must pray.”  

He said the gold was the result of the time and effort that team powerlifting had as part of their preparation for the Games.

“In the beginning of the year we were training ourselves until our newly appointed coach, Scot Upston, came from Australia to train us. 

“When he came and started training us our approach and mindsets totally changed to a different perspective. Upston instilled new insights to what we can look forward to. He is the kind of coach that pushes you to achieve results,” he said.

He gave credit to their sponsors in KK Kingston, the Government and the Papua New Guinea Olympic Committee for the Go for Gold programme.

“Without these people were could not have done it ourselves,” he said.

Results: Squat (172.5 kg), Bench press (102.5kg),Deadlift (187.5kg), Total (462.5 kg).