New Zealand have won their first ever Pacific Mini Games medals, bagging three weightlifting silvers on their first day of competition in Vanuatu.
The NZ team celebrates Amanda Gould's three silver medals Photo: RNZI / Vinnie Wylie
Competing in the women's 63kg weightlifting event, Amanda Gould set a new personal best of 96kg in the clean and jerk.
She also lifted 77kg in the snatch for a total mark of 173kg and was thrilled with her medal haul.
"It's always awesome to be able to come away from an international competition with some silverware and I especially like these ones because they award medals for snatch, clean and jerk and total so you get three instead of just one."
Compatriot Elizabeth Bateman took part in her first international event in Port Vila and was one kilogramme shy of a bronze medal in the snatch.
Amanda Gould said being a part of the Mini Games has been fantastic for the New Zealand team.
"I was at the Papua New Guinea Pacific Games two years ago and they always put on such a great show and such a great event and the locals in Vanuatu are all so helpful and so friendly. It's a real pleasure to be able to come away to these events, it's a real privilege," she said.
Amanda Gould won three silvers Photo: RNZI / Vinnie Wylie
Sasser stars for the Marshalls
The star of the night was Mattie Sasser from the Marshall Islands, who set five Oceania and Pacific Games records across the snatch, clean and jerk and total.
The 20 year old lifted a total of 219kg to finish a whopping 46kg clear of an awe-struck Amanda Gould.
"Mattie's 10 years younger than I am and the Nauruan who got third is basically a kid as well, Like, they're going to have some unreal athletes in the next five or ten years - there will absolutely be Olympians come out of this session and come out of this whole competition."
Australia also made their Mini Games debut at Epauto with 15 year old Maddison Power finishing fourth in the women's 53kg division.
The weightlifting continues until Thursday.
Marshall Islands lifter, Mattie Sasser Photo: RNZI / Vinnie Wylie
