Pacific / Papua New Guinea

Sport: PNG leads Pacific Games medals table

07:24 am on 8 July 2015

Papua New Guinea lead the medals table after a golden day for the hosts at the Pacific Games in Port Moresby.

Steven Kari, PNG weightlifter receiving medal Photo: RNZI/Vinnie Wylie

Team PNG have 18 gold medals after five days of competition, two clear of nearest rivals Tahiti.

In front of a raucous home crowd, Steven Kari was beaten to the snatch title by Samoa's Siaosi Leusio but bounced back to win gold in the clean and jerk and overall categories in the 94kg division.

Steven Kari, PNG weightlifter Photo: RNZI/Vinnie Wylie

Guba Hale Mea added another two gold medals to PNG's tally in the women's 69kg division, Samoa's Mary Opeloge, predictably swept the field in the women's 75kg division, while younger brother Petunu Opeloge won two golds and a silver medal in the 85kg division.

In the pool, Ryan Pini won his second gold medal of the Games in 100m butterfly, with New Caledonia, Tahiti and Guam also in the winners circle.

Tahiti won three more gold in Va'a but were upset by the host nation in the women's V12 500.

PNG also caused another boilover, edging Samoa in the men's and women's touch rugby finals.

The games continue today with rugby sevens getting underway at Sir John Guise Stadium.