PNG lifters return home

Sports

By HENRY MORABANG
THE weightlifting fraternity and families at Hanubada in the National Capital District were given a pleasant surprise yesterday as the village’s triple gold medal winners arrived home for a three-day break.
Boni Baru, wife of Morea Baru said she was shocked that her husband came home.
“No, I wasn’t aware of his coming but I am glad that he is home to see his four-month-old baby and the family,” she said.
Baru rose to stardom by finishing sixth in the world and is ranked number one in his weight division in the Oceania region.
He said he was happy to be back with his wife and family after 11 months.
“I am happy to see my family and also happy to be back at home for three days,” he said.
Emily Lou, the mother of weightlifting pocket dynamo Dika Toua said she was surprised. “This is the second time Dika came unannounced to the village with her sponsors. It was a big surprise for us as family,” Lou said while wiping off tears of joy.
Toua is rated number one after her gold medal-winning performance by coach Paul Coffa, who tipped her to win gold at the Commonwealth Games in April in Australia.
She said it was amazing and to be back home with family before heading back to Noumea for preparation for the Gold Coast event next year.
Steven Kari said he was happy to be back home after a long, tough road to winning three gold medals in the Pacific Mini Games last week.
Kari, who had differences with coach Paul Coffa after he refused to return to Noumea, New Caledonia, said: “It is water under the bridge. It is an old book and now I have opened a new book and want to move on in my favourite sport.”