Steven Kari is new C’wealth champion

By HENRY MORABANG
WEIGHTLIFTER Steven Kari is the new senior men’s Commonwealth champion in the 85kg division after winning the championships in South Africa last month.
PNG Weightlifting Federation president Sir John Dawanincura announced this during the Trukai Industries media conference in Port Moresby where Trukai further announced that it would continue its relationship with the sport into the future.
Kari, the Oceania Weightlifting Institute resident at Noumea, New Caledonia, won the first spot ahead of England and India in third place.
The 314kg total also resulted in Kari winning the junior title as well. He snatched 131kg, clean and jerked 183 for a 314 total to where he established junior record in the clean and jerk with 183kg.
The weightlifters have  a very successful run over the past years and this year has been the best-ever in terms of results from participating in the Pacific Games in Noumea where they won 14 golds, three silvers and 10 bronzes.
In the Oceania championships in Darwin, organised in conjunction with the Arafura Games and the South Pacific championships, PNG lifters bagged 23 golds, 11 silvers and 20 bronzes from the three championships.
Trukai Industries national marketing manager Pamela Penrose said: “As a sponsor these tremendous results give us great confidence in the sport and the satisfaction of being associated with a sport where the athletes and officials are committed to producing great results for sport, for their country and for their sponsors.”
She also announced the awarding of scholarships to Kari and Dika Toua as result of their outstanding performances at the recent meets and events. Steven Kari is currently in Paris for the World championships.
Toua was on scholarship in Noumea prior to the Pacific Games there and won three gold medals and will continue her sponsorship at the Oceania Weightlifting Institute from next January.
Penrose added that Trukai Industries was proud to have talented and dedicated athletes as representatives to promote their brand product and represent the Trukai motto which is health, strength and energy.