15 year old Rama Kumilgo of Papua New Guinea won gold in the women’s steeplechase upsetting her older competitors at BSP Stadium yesterday.
Papua New Guinea finished first and second, ahead of the 2011 gold medallist from French Polynesia (Tahiti).
The Chimbu lass won her race in 11:26.51 seconds, while experienced distance runner from PNG, Poro Gahekave came second (11:31.66s) and Tahitian, Heiata Brinkfield clocked 12:01:09s finished third.
In 2011, PNG did not win any medals in this event.
Meanwhile in the field events yesterday, PNG made a clean sweep of medals in the women’s long jump event.
Rellie Kaputin won gold recording a jump height of 5.97m, Adrine Monagi settled for silver (5.76m) and veteran Helen Philemon (5.64m) grabbed bronze.
Philimon was the lone medallist in this event four years ago, winning silver for PNG.
And in the women’s Shot put Ambulatory, the host nation settled for silver and bronze medals to Regina Edward (F/12) (8.83m) and Vero Nime (F42) (J6.42m).
New Caledonia Rose Welepa (F/12) won gold with a throw of 11.07m.
And in the men’s long jump event, Idau Asigau (7.32m) won bronze for PNG, behind Fredrick Erin of New Caledonia (7.78m) and Raihau Maiau of Tahiti (8.14m) won gold.
Maiau was the silver medalist in the same event in 2011 games finishing behind Erin.
While in the men’s shot put, PNG lone player, Debono Paraka only managed to gain 14.93m in his throw and finished the competition on fourth place.
The winners of the event was, record holder Tumatai Daupin (Tahiti, 19.14m) coming first, Alexander Rose (Samoa, 16.58m) second and third placing was Mustafa Fall of Fiji (15.78m)