9 Dec 2017

Sport: New Caledonia take medals lead at Mini Games

12:11 pm on 9 December 2017

Another dominant day on the mat has catapulted New Caledonia into top spot on the Pacific Mini Games medal tally.

The French territory has 18 gold medals in all, after winning seven of the eight events on the first day of karate.

Les Cagous added seven gold medals in karate to the 10 they scooped up in judo.

The only break in their dominance came from Vanuatu's Vamule Lango, who won gold in the female kumite 61kg division.

New Caledonia picked up another gold medal in tennis, edging Solomon Islands 2-1 in the final of the women's team event.

The men's final between Vanuatu and Fiji is down to the deciding doubles match, which will now take place this morning following extended rain.

Papua New Guinea and Samoa remain on 14 and 13 gold medals respectively after having to settle for silvers and bronze on Friday.

Meanwhile Vanuatu is up to fifth overall, behind Fiji, after Yoshua Shing and Anolyn Lulu claimed mixed doubles gold in table tennis, beating compatriots Ham Lulu and Priscilla Tommy.

Table tennis and karate wrap up on Saturday, along with golf, while the rugby sevens champions and World Cup qualifiers will also be decided.