Kiribati's Ruben Katoatau finally got his first Pacific Games gold medals at Maranatha Hall on Wednesday, on a day that was otherwise dominated by Australian weightlifters. Photo: Pacific Games Media
Kiribati turned up the heat at the 2023 Pacific Games on Wednesday, jumping nine places from 18th on Tuesday to ninth after Wednesday's competition.
That was due mainly to experienced weightlifter Ruben Katoatau who got his first medals at the Games - three in the men's 81kg division, lifting 123kg in snatch and 171kg in clean and jerk with a total lift of 303kg.
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"First of all, massive thanks to the Heavenly Father for giving me strength during my competition," Katoatau told the Pacific Games News Service.
"Though it was challenging, gold is achieved and it is what I have been dreaming of for the last eight months of preparation with my teammates and coach," he said.
Kiribati are now with three gold and four silver.
Australia, who retained their second spot behind New Caledonia, also won their share of medals in weightlifting.
Rory Scott scooped silver in the same event, lifting 131kg in the snatch and 170kg in Clean and Jerk with a total lift of 301kg, while New Caledonia's Sylvain Duclos settled for bronze.
In the women's 71kg division, 23-year-old Australian weightlifter Jacqueline Nichele also collected three gold medals ahead of Nauru's Maximina Uepa (silver) and Australia's Sarah Cochrane (bronze).
"It's rewarding with all the training and all the hard work I've been putting into it," Nichele said.
"When it comes to working out something difficult and how to solve it, I have to put all efforts into ensuring my best goal is achieved."
The day's final event saw another Australian, Olivia Shelton, claim gold in the women's 76 kg division in spectacular fashion in her third and final attempt at the clean and jerk, lifting 119kg with a total lift of 215kg.
Samoa's Avatu Opeloge settled for silver while Merean Atantaake of Marshall Islands collected the division's bronze.
New Caledonia still leads with 22 gold, 18 silver and 21 bronze - lifting their haul from Tuesday's competition.
Australia are on second spot with 21 gold, 13 silver and six bronze.
Weightlifting continues on Thursday from 10am.
Jordan Evans-Tobata on the track.Cook Islands star Chantay Kiria-Ratu on the attack at the Games rugby league nines competition. Photo: Pacific Games Media
Cooks and Samoa win in rugby league
Reigning men's champions Fiji had to settle for silver in the Rugby League Nines final, going down 8-0 to Samoa.
The Samoans made it a double against the Fijians, after beating them in an earlier pool game.
Samoa held a 4-0 lead at halftime before they started the second spell with try to Kyran Tanuvasa to seal the game.
Fiji could not break the Samoan defense in the second spell.
Samoa captain Larry Sang Yum they were appreciative of the gold win.
"We came here for a reason, so we didn't underestimate any team. We worked hard back home, and we came here to win. Our mission is complete. I would like to thank our heavenly father for guiding and protecting us. I really appreciate this gold for our country and our people back home," he told Pacific Games media.
Fiji captain Jone Sauvaka said they did not make use of their opportunities and Samoa had defended well.
"We had a lot of options, but it's us who missed those options. We had a lot of opportunities to score, we had a lot of opportunities to have possession, but we lost it. Congratulations to Samoa for giving a good, hard fight tonight."
Cook Islands defeated Tonga 16-6 in the bronze playoff.
In the women's competition it was Cook Islands who won gold over Tonga.
Cook Islands' Gold Coast Titans NRLW star Chantay Kiria-Ratu said standing on the podium with a gold medal is an unmatchable feeling after they won 16-8.
Tonga on debut at the Games had won all their matches until the final.
They had also defeated defending champs Fiji in pool play.
"I'm lost for words, to be honest. It's super exciting for our nation and the people back home. We all wanted to go out there and do them proud, and we did that," a delighted Kiria-Ratu told the Pacific Games News Service.
Tonga captain Ana Ngahe told the Pacific Games News Service that winning the silver was a big achievement for them.
"It has been such an honour and we are so overwhelmed, given that it is our first time playing rugby league (internationally).
"The girls did well despite their inexperience. We are so grateful we have the privilege to represent our country. It does not matter if you are small or skinny or young. Have faith in God, everything will be possible, everything will come at His time, and all you have to do is trust the process."
Fiji won the bronze with a 4-0 win over Samoa.
Medal tally at the end of competition on Wednesday, 22 November 2023. Photo: RNZ Pacific
Competition continues
Competition continues on Thursday, with Rugby Sevens starting off.
It will be interesting to see how big guns Fiji and Samoa will fair at the event, as most of their main players are unavailable due to preparations for the HSBC 7 Series Dubai tournament next weekend.
More medals are expected in weightlifting, swimming, archery, basketball, volleyball and sailing.
Football will also have their final matches today to decide who plays off for the medals at stake.