Peniel Richard

PNG triple jump record holder resumes studies in US

Richard has secured a full athletic scholarship to attend West Texas A&M University in Canyon, Texas, where he aims to complete his degree in kinesiology, which is the study of the mechanics of body movements.

He becomes the fourth PNG athlete to attend this school after Sharon Kwarula, Rellie Kaputin and Theo Piniau.

​Elite PNG athlete on discipline, respect

Peniel Richard, who just turned 23 Wednesday, 14 June, is the current double national record holder in Triple Jump and Long Jump for the country. He met with school children at the Goroka-based National Sports Institute on 15 June.

In his first public appearance at the NSI, he talked to the enthusiastic children about discipline, commitment and respect to become successful, not only in sports but in all facets of life.

“It is important that you must discipline yourself, always commit yourself in what you do and respect and love your family and others in the community.”

PNG athletes in US in top form

Rellie Kaputin, Adrine Monagi and Peniel Richard competed at the Lone Star Conference Championships in Commerce, Texas while Wesley Logorava and Robson Yinambe were in action at the Region V Junior College Championships in Arkansas, Kansas.

Poro Gahekave, Shirley Vunatup and Naomi Kerari were at the Texas Tech University in Lubbock for their final meet before the Junior College National Championships next week.

After completing the heptathlon on Thursday/Friday, Monagi then ran the 100m and 100m hurdles heats on Friday, and on Saturday took part in another five events.

PNG athletes in USA in top form

Both Peniel Richard and Rellie Kaputin registered very significant performances in the long jump last weekend in Texas, leaping 7.57m and 6.41m respectively.

Although both performances were marginally wind assisted and therefore not recognised as national records, they are both well over the national record marks of 7.21m and 6.27m respectively.

Four PNG athletes to take part in US Indoor Track and Field Championships

Rellie Kaputin is having a record breaking season for West Texas A&M University and heads the National Rankings in both Long Jump and Triple Jump.

She will also be hoping for a podium finish (top eight placing) in the high jump.

Another PNG athlete making waves is 20 year old sprinter/hurdler Afure Adah representing Minnesota State University Mankato.

Adah, who represented PNG in the 100m hurdles and 4x400m relay at the 2015 Pacific Games has shown significant improvement this year and is ranked 5th  in the 200m sprint going into the Championships.