Newcomer's career lifts off at champs

DEBUTANT: Paige Lawgun picked up a bronze in her first international event this month.PHOTO/JOHN STONE

For an under-48kg 15-year-old Paige Lawgun is a strong wee thing, proven by winning bronze at the Oceania Weightlifting Championships in New Caledonia.

Obviously chuffed, Paige claimed three New Zealand records to boot in what was her international debut.

However, winning medals isn't the main reason she lifts, preferring to focus on goal-setting.

"[My favourite thing about the sport is] being able to set goals and be able to accomplish them, I always aim higher than last time I lifted," the Whangarei Girls' High School student said.

"Sometimes I was thinking about [winning] because I'd seen there were quite a few girls in my class and they were all lifting heavier than I was so I never thought I'd actually be able to beat them."

Paige hopes to continue with international lifting, no doubt aiming to beat her recent bronze.

That medal on debut came this month when she was part of a 30 to 40-strong team in New Caledonia. She was the first to compete.

Her Northland Olympic club coach and father Jacob Lawgun said he saw Paige grow instantly while competing, carrying herself, her country, her club, and her region with pride.

"Paige just held herself and did not get overwhelmed," Jacob said. "[She didn't] get big-headed, they stayed humble - I say that about all of the New Zealand team, actually.

"They've got to have fun. It's a solo sport, we train together but when you're on that platform it's just you, probably 85-90 per cent of it is [in the head].

"Every time Paige has competed in our monthly championships she has broken New Zealand records."

Paige felt her highlight was meeting other lifters and seeing how they fared in competition.