PNG Games: Teacher beats Morobe’s pioneer para athlete

He suffered from polio when he was only 2 years old, resulting in him ending up in a wheelchair.

However, Paul Mokri did not let this limit him as he believes he is called for a higher purpose.

The 32-year-old recently walked away with a gold medal in seated javelin, displacing Morobe’s pioneer para athlete, Eiwaki Tuwara, at the BSP 7th PNG Games.

Mokri has 55 students in his Grade Four class at the Holy Spirit Primary School in Madang. He is from Walum Village of Usino-Bundi district in Madang, and Mt Hagen.

Growing up in the Highlands was difficult as he had to cope with travelling the rough terrain to school. It gets especially nasty during tribal fights.

"I couldn't run away because of my inability to move, but mom always pays special attention to me even though we were many in the family," he said.

Years later, he was selected for the Special and Inclusive Education Bachelors Program at the University of Goroka. Unfortunately, he was unable to attend due to financial constraints.

But of course, this did not stop him from fighting for his dreams.

With the gold medal under his belt, Mokri now aims to represent PNG on the international arena.

He says the PNG Games has gone a long way in boosting his career goals in para sport.

(Paul Mokri, centre, during the presentation of medals)

Author: 
Meredith Kuusa