Athletics

Koreta was part of a group of inclusive athletes to participate in an exhibition match in Para-Athletics – a first for the Regional Youth Games edition.

Happily communicating through her guardian, Koreta said, she was excited to be part of the program attending the Regional Youth Games.

On her way to have a first taste of the event, transport became an issue and then came the heavy downpour on her arrival at the event site, but all these did not stop Koreta who persisted in being out there on the pitch.

The championships are being used as a platform to finalize the team for this year’s Pacific Games in Honiara.

The championships which started on Friday 11^th August concluded on Sunday 13^th August with the medal presentations held at the Sir John Guise Stadium.

Approximately 70 athletes from various clubs and including Para athletes had competed at the event.

Judy Mitchel, Suaire Goiye and Christina Moiyang, all taking part in athletics, were selected by the PNG Olympic committee earlier this year after consideration by the Justification Committee.

They will travel with Coach Subul Babo.

Mitchel was outstanding at the 2022 PNG Air National Championships in Port Moresby where she won both the 100m and 200m in the Under 18 division despite being eligible for the U16 division at that time.

Information about timetable, competition rules, and details of entry fees was distributed and have been submitted to PNG Air National Age Division of Championships. 

Frank Koibu who is in charge of recording the entries said the event is likely to showcase some amazing raw talents on the track and field. Athletes intend to compete in the championship must provide factual personal details so the they will be put into the right age categories. 

The Athletic Hall of Champions, established in 1987, recognizes outstanding student-athletes, coaches and administrators for their significant achievements. Kaputin made the move to United States in 2017 after winning goals in the 2015 Pacific games.

The PNG National Record Holder was an integral part of the program at West Texas, winning their first two NCAA Division II National Championships as well as opening international recruiting for the track and field team to a whole new level.

Thirteen PNG athletes have been selected for the 17 strong Melanesian team that will compete against Micronesia, Polynesia, Australia and host, Northern Marianas.

The Oceania Cup has been brought back into the calendar in Oceania to align with the Oceania and World Athletics strategic plan to create more international competition opportunities for the athletes in the region.

Previous editions of the Oceania Cup have been held in Vanuatu , Samoa and Australia. Saipan was chosen this year as it has the best facility in the Pacific Islands.

These trials were mainly concentrated in the track events for both abled and para athletes.

The preseason trials are important events for the coaches to assess and identify talents before they are classified.

Port Moresby Athletics Technical Official John Gitiri said this year their main focus is on identifying younger boys and girls, and young women to join athletics.

That is why they continue to encourage young boys and girls from U16, and U18 to U20 to come out to Sir John Guise stadium, get registered and be put through odd races before they can be classified.

Obviously the key event for this year is the Pacific Games in Honiara and clearly the objective for PNG Athletics is  to maintain its position as the #1 track and field nation in the Pacific.

“We are aiming to build on our resounding success at the 2022 Mini Games by keeping the momentum going with our programmes and all stakeholders must recognize that we will face stronger competition in Honiara, so we need to be prepared for that”, said President Tony Green.

Whilst the Cloud County based athletes in Kansas had a relatively quiet weekend ahead of their regional championships this coming weekend, jumpers Roland Hure and Annie Topal both posted excellent performances.

Competing at an Open Meet in Indianola, Iowa, Hure jumped a personal best of 7.25m in the long jump; which is just one centimetre outside the national record set by Peniel Richard last year.

He also ran an impressive 10.77secs in the 100m, signaling to the PNG team coaches that he wants to be considered for the 4*100m relay at the Games.

Competing on their home track in the city of Concordia the athletes continued their excellent recent form with Leroy Kamau again leading the way and with Isila Apkup and Shadrick Tansi also posting great performances.

Kamau followed up a wind assisted 10.36 sec clocking in the 100m (+4.7) with a sensational 20.85seconds in the 200m. The following wind (measured at 3.3metres per second) meant that this cannot be recognised as a national record but it is once again as sign that Kamau is heading for something special in the near future.