PNG's KARI WINS GOLD AT MEN’S COMMONWEALTH GAMES

Papua New Guinea weightlifting strong man Steven Kari, on Monday smashed the 94 kilogram junior men’s commonwealth weightlifting record in Penang, Malaysia.

Kari won both the Junior, and Senior men’s commonwealth crown.

Kari was the highlight of Penang’s leading newspaper, The Star, reporting with the headline ‘Kari too hot to handle’.

Kari beat a very strong field of lifters from India, Nigeria, Australia, Scotland, Sri lanka, Malaysia and England to claim gold ahead of 2010 Commonwealth Games Gold Medalist from India and Australia lifting a total of 352kg.

Kari’s 352kg earned him the gold while India settled for silver and Australia secured bronze.

Earlier in the week, Dika Toua made a convincing comeback to competitive lifting after being away for four months; finishing 6th and missing out on the gold medal lift of 102kg.

President of PNG Weightlifting Federation, Sir John Dawanicura acknowledged Steven Kari’s fantastic effort, and the performance of the Team PNG athletes to the commonwealth senior, junior and youth championships in Penang.

EMTV