8 Dec 2017

Sport: PNG lead Mini Games from surging Samoa

7:56 am on 8 December 2017

Papua New Guinea remain atop the medal standings after four days of the Pacific Mini Games in Vanuatu.

Steven Kari had a golden run in the 94kg category

Steven Kari had a golden run in the 94kg category Photo: RNZI / Vinnie Wylie

But their lead is shrinking after Samoa dominated the final day of weightlifting.

Commonwealth Games champion Steven Kari swept the field in the men's 94kg category, to take PNG's total to 14 gold medals, all in weightlifting.

But Samoa surged into second place after winning eight gold medals at Epauto to boost their overall tally to 13.

Fiji are third with 11 gold after weightlifting and judo victories while New Caledonia's judoka doubled their haul to 10.

Tongan judoka Finetu'ui Moala and Wallis and Futuna lifter Israel Kaikilekofe won their teams' first gold medals of the week.

And Australian weightlifter John Downes won two bronze to claim his country's first ever medals at a Mini Games.

Samoa's Lauititi Lui set new Pacific Games records in the snatch, clean and jerk and total.

Samoa's Lauititi Lui set new Pacific Games records in the snatch, clean and jerk and total. Photo: RNZI / Vinnie Wylie