Lifters wow Pari

 PAPUA New Guinea’s latest crop of budding young weightlifters have taken to the road to demonstrate their strength and abilities in Papua New Guinea’s rural settings as part of the PNG Weightlifting Federations build up toward coming international events and the 2015 Pacific Games.

Recently, Pari village, Port Moresby, was visited by a group of the weightlifters accompanied by PNG Weightlifting Federation president Sir John Dawanincura.

“Weightlifting is a proven gold medal winner for Papua New Guinea at the Pacific Games and our objective is to reach as far as we can to inspire and identify new young talent around the country to maintain this status well into the future,” Sir John said.

“This path way is similar to that of the PNG Games concept but is coming off our own steam as a sports body with the backing and support of our long-time sponsor Trukai Industries, whose support we are grateful for,” he said.

The Trukai showcase test event at Pari took place with the blessing of village chiefs and turned out to be an instant crowd puller as Papua New Guinea’s new era of young, up and coming lifters took to the platform.

Traditionally the domain of rugby league, volleyball, netball and cricket, more than 200 Pari villagers and sports lovers crammed around the local basketball courts where a temporary arena was set up for the weightlifters go to work.

The showcase boasted no fewer than 10 international lifters including Kathleen Hare, Sandra Ako, Mona-Lisa Kassman, SP Awards nominee Lorraine Hare and had the added bonus of also featuring Pacific Games champion, Rita Kari’s return to the fold after a year’s absence.