Queenslander Mary Barter was the first Australian lifter to compete at the Pacific Games, and began in style.
She won three silver medals in the 48kg division; snatch, clean and jerk and overall.
The Games were the 27-year-old’s first international competition, after she took up the sport a year and a half ago.
“This has been fantastic, the best experience ever,” Barter said.
“I thought I was going to cry when I saw the Australian flag going up.
“I was hunting for a medal, probably bronze, but then I just got out there and it was amazing.”
Looking on in the crowd was Barter’s step-father, who lives in Port Moresby, and her sister who had flown in from Brisbane.
“It was great to have them here cheering me on. I’m very lucky.”
A policewoman, Barter took up weightlifting after she excelled at CrossFit.
“I’m just going to follow weightlifting through because I want to see what my potential is.”