Flagbearer Kanah Andrews-Nahu claims 4th in weightlifting at Youth Olympic Games

Kanah Andrews-Nahu has lifted a personal best, and New Zealand junior record, to take fourth place at the Buenos Aires 2018 Youth Olympic Games.

The Aucklander looked calm and collected as she hoisted 95kg in her best lift in the snatch.

The 17-year-old then posted a mammoth PB and New Zealand junior record of 116kg in the clean and jerk.

The lifts gave the 17-year-old a combined total of 211kg in the women’s +63kg group.

“I’m stoked that I hit PBs and I hit what I set out to lift, I was actually only hoping to do 115 in the clean and jerk so 116, I’ll take it!” said Andrews-Nahu.

“The competitors here are some of the top countries in weightlifting so to be right up there with the big girls is great, I’m pleased with that performance.”

Andrews-Nahu says missing out on the podium has only made her hungrier for success.

“When I get home to New Zealand I’m definitely gonna be fighting even more.”

Meanwhile New Zealand dominated on day one of the women's rugby sevens competition.

The ‘Baby Ferns’, as they’ve been dubbed by their role models the Black Ferns, beat Tunisia 53-0 and then Colombia 38-5.  

“The overall goal - we all want to go home with a gold medal,” said captain Risaleaana Pouri-Lane.

Coach Jimmy Sinclair is wary of the Canadians and France, who the Kiwis will face tomorrow.

“Them being a challenge is exciting for us,” Sinclair said. “Our girls get to play a different brand of sevens rather than just playing Australia and Fiji all the time.”

In the women’s time trial, Phoebe Young and Samara Maxwell set a blistering pace, crossing the line with the seventh fastest time.

“In New Zealand we don’t get as many competitors,” Maxwell said. “It’s awesome seeing where we stand… and so nice to know we can stack up against the best.”

The pair also compete in the mountain bike, criterium and the 60 kilometre road race, with scores combined to determine medallists.

Young and Maxwell are eagerly awaiting the mountain bike race, as they believe they have an edge.

“A lot of the other competitors are mainly specialist road racers,” Maxwell said. “So it will be good to see where we stack up on the mountain bike track.”