5 Dec 2017

Sport: Weightlifting heads Tuesday action at Mini Games

11:50 am on 5 December 2017

The first medals of the Pacific Mini Games are up for grabs in Vanuatu today in weightlifting.

NZ's weightlifting team

NZ's weightlifting team Photo: Olympic Weightlifting NZ

The women's 48kg and 53kg divisions are first up at Epauto, with a total of six categories in action throughout the day.

Mini Games Organising Committee CEO Clint Flood said it's one of the premier events.

"It's got a great field up there - I think it's 19 countries in total," Flood said.

"We've got one of the world champions there so I think in all weight classes, there's some really good competition."

Australia and New Zealand make their Mini Games debut on the floor, having both participated at the Pacific Games in PNG two years ago.

New Zealand have brought four lifters to Port Vila.

Their coach Callan Helms said only two of his team have international experience but they are definitely aiming for a podium finish in all four categories.

Elsewhere table tennis resumed this morning at the Korman Indoor Hall, while outdoor tennis is playing catch-up after yesterday's competition was called off early due of rain.

There's also one football match on offer with the Tuvalu and New Caledonia men both looking to bounce back from first round defeats.

Van2017 CEO Clint Flood

Van2017 CEO Clint Flood Photo: Van2017