PNG scoop 11 medals at boxing

Papua New Guinea (PNG) dominated day five of the Sol2023 Pacific Games Boxing Competition at Friendship Hall on Friday, collecting 11 medals including six golds.

In an impressive display, PNG emerged as the undisputed boxing powerhouse at this Games, clinching a whopping 11 medals – six golds, two silvers and three bronze.

PNG’s gold medallists were Steven Kendu (men’s 75kg), Change Jamie (women’s 54kg), Kantie Oaike (men’s 48kg), Bali Goli (women’s 48kg), Sheila Yama (women’s 70kg) and Petronella Nokenoke (women’s 63kg).

Silver medal winners included Leontine Kevin (women’s 70kg) and Peto Junior Turaga (men’s 48kg), while the bronze medal winners were Bid Inoino (men’s 54kg), Laizani Soma (women’s 63kg) and Liranda Kidu (women’s 70kg)

Speaking to the Pacific Games News Service, Kidu said: “I’m thrilled with the fight. It’s my first time at the Pacific Games. I thank God Almighty for the strength, and I dedicate this gold medal to my family, my homeland, my beloved PNG.”

Other boxers also on the podium on Friday included Fiji’s Jone Davule (gold) and Ronit Chand (bronze) and Solomon Islands’ trio of Max Makana (silver), Mark Gavin (bronze) and Phineus Pitakoe (bronze).

Tahiti’s Herehau Tuienui won a bronze, Saliuafi Tuautu of Samoa got silver, Tulikitoafa Takatai of New Caledonia won bronze, Nauru’s Marvin Canon got silver and Ricksen Nomleas of Vanuatu won bronze.

Boxing concludes on Saturday afternoon at Friendship Hall. Tickets are sold out.

By Steven Kamoa, Pacific Games News Service