Praise for lifters, ‘golden village’

 MOTU Koitabu Assembly chairman Miri Ikupu has declared Hanuabada a “golden village” in honour of its gold medallists Dika Toua and Steven Kari.

After the arrival of Toua and Kari with Team PNG last Friday at the Jackson International Airport, he said no other village in the country 

could boast such a sporting achievement.

Again at the Team PNG’s welcome function on Saturday night, Ikupu said Hanuabada had produced three gold medalists so far from the Commonwealth Games.

“I am so proud of the achievement and Papua New Guinea is celebrating,” Ikupu said.

Bowler Geua Tau was the first from the village to win gold – during the 1990 Games in New Zealand.

Ikupu added to the list 2006 Melbourne Games gold medalist Ryan Pini – who he said was born in the Hanuabada area.

“I congratulate Dika and Steven on lifting gold,” he said.

“The whole country is proud of your achievements and we are celebrating with you.”

PNG finished 16th in the Commonwealth Games, the highest position it had ever achieved.

Toua won gold in the 53kg while Kari won gold in the 94kg.

Toua, 30, had won a silver medal at the 2006 Melbourne Games.

Kari, 21, had to leave his parents at age 16 to train under Paul Coffa at the New Caledonia weightlifting high performance centre.

The centre has produced top lifers in the Oceania region.