Ageless Papua New Guinea hurdler Mowen Boino is still the man to beat in the 400 metre hurdles final.
The final will be run on Friday at BSP Stadium.
Boino ran the fastest finals qualifying time this morning, clocking 53.36 seconds in his heat, which is 2.54s faster than his nearest rival.
Running in lane one, Boino used his experience to advantage by making up metres and sticking with the inside lane runners at the start before making his move in the final 200m bend.
Using the benefit of the inside lane, Boino overtook the runners in the last 150m with his quick turn and smooth jumps over the hurdles to make a comfortable finish.
The defending Pacific Games 400m hurdles champion is a man on a mission as he attempts to finish his illustrious career on home soil with another gold medal as he has been dominating the event in the last 15 years.
Meanwhile, in the second heat, PNG rising hurdler Wala Gime finished ahead of the pack stopping the clock at 55.90 seconds.
Gime has been Boino’s understudy over the years and the Daru man will certainly give his older comrade a run for his money in the finals.
The results of this morning's heats in the order of finish, in heat one, Boino (PNG, 53.36s), Peniel Joshua (PNG, 54.46s), Siologa Valiamu Sepa (Samoa, 56.52s), Larry Steven Slunga (Tonga, 57.12s) and Vilison Rarasea Sailosi (Fiji, 57.51s).
In heat two, Wala Gime (PNG, 53.36s), Alifeleti Tuiono (Tonga, 56.76s), Namataiki Tevenino (Northern Marianas, 66.15s).