2 Aug 2014

Sport: Steven Kari speechless after joining PNG greats

9:51 am on 2 August 2014

Commonwealth Games weightlifting champion Steven Kari says winning a gold medal in Glasgow is the fulfilment of a dream.

The 21 year old is just the third Papua New Guinean to win Commonwealth gold, after lawn bowler Geua Tau in 1990 and swimmer Ryan Pini in 2006.

Pini said last month that PNG was ready for another athlete to step up and become their newest Games star.

Steven Kari says it still feels surreal to be ranked alongside his country's best.

"I don't know what to say. I want to be like Ryan winning the gold medal. I was very young when Ryan beat the Australian so I want to be like him, to win a gold medal in the Commonwealth Games. I followed his footsteps and now here I am with a gold medal".

Steven Kari believes he still has plenty of room for improvement and will turn his focus to defending his Pacific Games title in Port Moresby next year.