Nehemiah Elder won 3 gold medals in the men’s 88kg category. and set nine records on Friday. 4 July 2025. Photo: Facebook / Team Fiji
Sixteen-year-old Fijian weightlifter Nehemiah Elder created history in Palau when he set nine new records on his way to winning three gold medals in the men's 88-kilogram category on day five of the 2025 Pacific Mini Games.
Following on from his history-making performances at the 2025 IWF World Youth Championships in Peru in May, where he also won three gold medals, the Fijian lifter took centre-stage again in Koror.
He lifted a massive 155kg to win gold and set new Oceania Youth, Junior, Senior, and Pacific Mini Games records.
He returned for the clean and jerk, and won his second gold, with a lift of 175kg, which is a new Pacific Mini Games record.
His total lift of 330kg, which earned him his third gold on the day, is a new Oceania Youth, Junior, Senior, and Pacific Mini Games record.
An emotional Elder, son of Fiji Weightlifting team head coach Henry and former champion lifter Della, told reporters after his golden performance that his faith in God, the support of his mates and his mum's prayers propelled him to victory.
"A lot of hard work has been put into it and I would like to thank my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Without him this would not have been possible," he said.
"I knew I could secure the gold and my main goal was to get the first attempt and see how we go from there. I thank each and everyone of you for supporting and I would not be here without you guys.
"I dedicate the medal to my mum, she prays for me every day and I am so blessed to have a great mother."
In May, the young Elder became the first ever Fijian weightlifter to win gold at any World Championship event.
He dominated the platform back then, winning the snatch with 152kg, a Clean and Jerk of 180kg, and a total of 332kg.
Elder's three gold haul helped Fiji's total gold medal haul on day five.
Seine Stowers led the charge in the women's weightlifting 77 kilogram category. Photo: Facebook / Palau 2025 Pacific Mini Games
The day also saw some impressive showing from Samoa, who have also raked up an impressive collection of gold medals, and closing the gap somewhat on medal tally leaders Tahiti.
Seine Stowers led the charge in the women's weightlifting 77 kilogram category.
Jack Opeloge was also on the dais, getting two gold in the men's 110kg, taking the clean and jerk and the total, beating Fijian rival Taniela Rainibogi.
Australia's Fijian recruit Eileen Cikanamata also won medals at the Sports Complex Meyuns, dominating the women's 86kg.
Jack Opeloge, middle, won two gold in the men's 110kg, taking the clean and jerk and the total, beating Fijian rival Taniela Rainibogi, left. Australia's Jackson Roberts-Young settled for the bronze medal. Photo: Facebook / Samoa Weightlifting Federation Inc.
But as day five came to a close, there was no denying the fact that Tahiti will be hard to catch on the medal standings.
Competition will run on Saturday, Monday, Tuesday and close off on Wednesday, 9 June.
So far only two islands have not won any medal at the event: Norfolk Island and Tokelau.
New Zealand has not been able to make any impact on the Mini Games' medal standing, with only nine weightlifters representing them.
The women's 100m race on 4 July 2025 at the Palau National Stadium. Photo: Facebook / Palau 2025 Pacific Mini Games
Athletics
Hugh Kent of Guam took out the first gold medal in athletics when competition rolled off early on Friday, when he won the men's 10,000 metres event.
Kent, 19, finished the race in a time of 33 minutes 03.34 seconds.
He was followed by Northern Marianas Nathania Hung Yee Tan, who claimed the gold medal in the women's 10,000m event.
Tan finished ahead of New Caledonia's Natalia Alfonso Prado and Tahiti's Louisa Grosgogeat, stopping the clock at 38 minutes 03.57s.
In the men's long jump Australia's Aden McDonald jumped the longest to claim gold, recording a 6.90m jump, with the closest to him being Fiji's David Raibiriki, who recorded 6.77m.
McDonald's teammate Charlize Goody also won gold in the women's javelin throw, hitting the mark at 49.30m, 24 centimetres longer than fellow teammate Isabelle Cruickshank.
Fiji and Papua New Guinea shared the spoils in the 4x400m relays, the Fijians taking out gold in the women's final while PNG took home the men's final.
The Fijian women pipped PNG in a time of 3 minutes 51.88s, ahead of PNG's time of 3m 53.94s.
But the PNG men's team avenged their women's loss by turning the table on Fiji their final.
Swimming
The consistent performances by some of the Pacific's young swimmers were on display again on Friday in the pool.
Paige Schendelaar-Kemp of Samoa claimed another gold medal, this time taking home the women's 50m freestyle.
David Young of Fiji won the men's 50m freestyle, while Northern Mariana's Isaiah Roger Aleksenko claimed his sixth gold medal, winning the men's 100m backstroke.
Cook Islands Jacob Story gave his country a gold medal in the men's 200m individual medley, while both Tahiti and New Caledonia also claimed gold medals in the pool on the day.
Day six
The highlight of day six will be the sprints finals in the blue ribbon races.
Both the men and women's 100m finals are scheduled for late Saturday afternoon.
Competition continues in basketball, softball, beach volleyball and indoor volleyball, with open sea swimming also on the day's programme.
2025 Pacific Mini Games medal tally at the end of day five of competitions on 4 July 2025. Photo: RNZ Pacific
