Lifters rake in medals

By JACK AMI
THE Team Papua New Guinea powerlifting team won 15 medals at the Oceania Regional Championship on the Gold Coast, Australia, over the weekend.
PNG Powerlifting Federation president and KK Kingston chief executive Michael Kingston said PNG hauled in six gold medals, five silver and four bronze.
Kingston said the performance was incredible with 15 of the 18 lifters winning 15 medals including six gold medals.
“It’s a remarkable achievement for the team and gives us confidence and is a morale booster in our preparations looking ahead,” Kingston said.
Veteran Linda Pulsan, who was named the best female lifter, won a gold medal coming back from a knee injury.
Manus women proved her class in a quality field from around the region.
“Linda’s a real champion and pulling off that win shows she has what it takes to be successful.”
Kingston announced that Pulsan was also accredited as the first PNG woman to be accorded an Oceania Powerlifting refereeing ticket which is another milestone in her career.
The other lifter who showed she has the potential to carry on from where Pulsan leaves off was 14-year-old student Lucy Konio Naime, who won a gold medal in her debut at her first international competition.
“She’s a future champion in the making and her age will see her stay at the top of her game for a long time” Kingston said.
“This was her first time. She’s been involved in the sport for just three months but was selected and set a benchmark for herself and was happy with her win.”
Naime thanked parents her parents Naime Inoko and Kevau Igua for their support and the team’s major sponsors KK Kingston.
“These results are leading to our preparations for the next year’s Pacific Games in Apia, Samoa is on the track with several lead ups and competition here and overseas,” Kingston said.
“Our biggest challenge planned for March for the Asia Pacific Championship and also our final test before the Pacific Games.”