Nauru, PNG, Tahiti dominate women’s powerlifting

Nauru claimed two gold medals on the first day of powerlifting at the Sol2023 Pacific Games on Tuesday at Maranatha Hall.

Their golden haul came in the 84kg and 84 kg+ events, with Mesha’h Denuga’s total lift of 425kg in the 84kg and Bessie O’Brien’s 570kg lift in the 84 kg+.

Ao Morea of PNG added gold to their medal tally in the 67kg event with a total lift of 372.5 kg, and Samantha Gware did the same in the 57kg event with a total lift of 330kg.

Tahiti’s Juliet Vuzier claimed gold in the 47kg with a total lift of 240 kg, followed by Mihi’iti Malateste in the 52kg with a total lift of 235kg.

Ludivine Breymand of New Caledonia snatched gold in the 63kg event with a total lift of 422.5kg.

“This is my first time to participate in such a big event, and I trained for my weight for four years and waited for this competition. I am so proud to receive gold today, which is such a big thing for me and my team,” Breymand told the Pacific Games News Service.

The host nation, Solomon Islands, also scooped medals (silver and bronze) in the 47kg, 69 kg, and 76kg events.

Powerlifting for men will commence on Wednesday and conclude on Thursday with categories in squat, bench press, and deadlift.

The event was boosted by the presence of two international referees.

By Binet Naqu and Jacklyn Kutia, Pacific Games News Service