In the Men’s 94 kg category here in Ashgabat, Papua New Guinea’s Commonwealth Games golden boy Steven Kari finished strong with a seventh placing after snatching 153 kg and clean and jerked 195 kg, lifting a total of 348 kg.
The 153kg snatch alone is a new personal best for Kari.
“Finishing off seventh with the total of 348 is a strong performance, and he did really well,” said Manager Mavara Willie Tamasi.
He added, “We are excited with this performance and look forward to his appearance in the Pacific Mini Games in Vanuatu and the Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast next year”.
The Gold Medal went to Iranian Sohrab Moradi who lifted a total of 413 kg, setting a new world record in the process.
Kari on the other hand maintained a sturdy composure and looked strong throughout the tournament. For now, he has set his sights on the Mini Games and the Commonwealth Games.
Coming away from this competition, Kari said,” it is a very different atmosphere to the level of competition I am used to and seeing my opposition lift bigger weights is now a push factor for me to lift bigger weights too”.
The lifter added, “I look up to them to them as weightlifting giants for now, but I want to get there one day. Though he admits this may not be easy as it will require a lot of time and effort in training.
So far he has been under strenuous training for six months now at the Oceania Weightlifting Institute in Noumea, New Caledonia.
Source: AIMAG2017 Press
