By Natalie Cholohei, Port Moresby 2015 Games News Service
PORT MORESBY, July 11 – It was a proud moment for team Tuvalu as Telupa Iosefa won their first ever gold medal in powerlifting at the Port Moresby 2015 Pacific Games.
The 28-year-old proved too strong for his competitors on Friday in the 120kg men’s open division, the gold medal also being Tuvalu’s first of Port Moresby 2015.
His squat lift of 337.5kg was the best in the field, and he added a bench press of 182.5kg and a deadlift of 285kg to give him a title-winning total of 805kg.
Tuvalu powerlifting coach Liai Mataio said the win would go down in history as it was Tuvalu’s first ever powerlifting gold in the Pacific Games.
“The gold medal brings joy and surprise to all the athletes and their families back in Tuvalu and will boost Telupa’s morale ahead of his next powerlifting competitions,” Mataio said.
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