Fiji’s Taniela Rainibogi has a gold medal in the men’s 110 kilogram weightlifting at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games.
He lifted 170kg in the snatch and 208kg in the clean and jerk – both Commonwealth Games records – for a total lift of 378kg, another Games record.
England’s Cyrille Tchatchet II came second, lifting a total of 374 kg, and Canada’s Xavier Lusignan got bronze, lifting 356kg.
Tonga’s Joshua Uikilifi Jr came fourth, 25kg away from a medal.
Vanuatu’s Thomas Wilbur and Samoa’s Jack Opeloge did not finish.
Weightlifting Fiji head coach Henry Elder told FBC it hadn’t been an easy road.
“We have been through this journey – there’s been so many obstacles, so many challenges, so many ups and downs, and God has been faithful up until this very day. And it is to him and him alone that we give glory.”
It’s the Pacific’s second gold and sixth medal in the Glasgow weightlifting program.
Meanwhile, Pacific athletes have been in action in the track and field overnight.
Cook Islands’ Max Teuruaa is competing in the men’s decathlon – a combination of 10 events – which continues into Saturday morning.
He threw a personal best in the decathlon shot put of 11.31 metres, which was 11th of 12 throws.
PNG’s Scholastica Herman ran in the women’s mile, and compatriot Adrine Monagi in the women’s 100m hurdles, but they did not progress further.
In the men’s javelin, PNG’s Lakona Gerega finished 15th, and Tuvalu’s Usufono Eneli 17th of 17 finishers, not qualifying for the final.
In the men’s shot put, Nauru’s Jonathan-Deiwea Detageouwa finished 10th with a season’s best throw of 16.99 metres. Tonga’s Penisimani Taeiloa finished with a ‘no mark’ result, meaning no valid trial was recorded.
The Tonga Tala have now lost four of five games, beaten 55-49 by Malawi.
