Papua New Guinea's Morea Baru has won the Pacific's first medal of the Commonwealth Games.
Morea Baru with his medal. Photo: RNZ Pacific/ Vinnie Wylie
But the weightlifter said a silver medal on the Gold Coast fell below his expectations.
Baru lifted a combined total of 286kgs, two kilograms shy of the gold medallist Muhamad Bidin from Malaysia.
The 27-year-old fell short with a final attempt at 163kg in the clean and jerk, which would have put him back in front.
"The last lift, I think that's the pressure, the real pressure...but all the lifts I didn't feel that pressure. Only the last lift I felt that way."
Morea Baru finished 10th at his first Commonwealth Games in Delhi and one spot shy of the podium in Glasgow four years ago.
But he admitted his first Commonwealth Games medal was bitter-sweet.
"I think I'm going to regret this for the rest of my life but I will keep on going and do my best to win gold for the next Games."
Baru's medal leaves Papua New Guinea 10th equal on the medal table at the games.
Fiji's Manueli Tulo finished fourth in the men's 56kg division, while PNG's Thelma Toua was also denied a podium finish in the women's 48kg division, despite lifting the same total weight as the bronze medallist.
More medals likely for lifters
Weightlifting resumes this morning with Papua New Guinea's Dika Toua, the defending champion in the women's 53kg division today.
Vaipava Ioane is the first Samoan lifter in action, in the men's 69kg division, and head coach Jerry Wallwork is predicting a fruitful few days ahead.
"I expect the whole six to win medals. The colour of that medal will be decided on the day...but I can guarantee you
that we are looking at six medals guaranteed."
Meanwhile, Jenly Wini from Solomon Islands is tipped as a strong medal chance in the women's 58kg division later this evening.
