OUTSTANDING !
Not only did he win the first-ever GOLD MEDAL for Kiribati Athletics at Oceania Championship level. He also equalled Michael's High Jump National Record of 1.92m. and beat his Personal Best by 10cm. Truly an outstanding performance ! Starting higher than usual at 1.65m., he jumped clear to 1.83m. (already a PB) and only faulted twice before attempting 1.94m. Having "done the job", surprisingly he was quietly restrained - not as extrovert as he can be ! He also showed great respect for his two main opponents.
ON THE WAY ?
There was a sense of deja vu watching Rabangaki Nawai drive himself round the 400m. at the end of Day 1 of the M Octathlon. Having placed close 2nd. (11.46 to 11.42) in the opening 100m., he showed excellent consistency with two leaps of 6.35m. in the Long Jump to win by 13cm., then produced an "under-stated" Shot Putt of 11.35m. (2nd. by 23cm.). Together with a victory in the 400m. (52.76 to 53.39), he ended Day 1 leading the competition (as he has before). At the start of Day 2, he has a lead of 134 points ; maybe it will be enough ! We think he is on the way to another medal, injury permitting.
STRONG HEADWIND.
For Rabangaki in the 100m. he faced a gusting headwind. The same breeze helped him in the LJ. Tanroo Taniera, our lone 100m. sprinter, ran 11.77 in the Heat but qualified for one of the three Semi-Finals. There he improved his start and clocked 11.70.
Tearoba Takeruru in the Heats of the 400m. also started slowly but managed 53.23 in 4th. place.
In the sprint (110m.) Hurdles, Beteru ran 17.21 to reach the "Consolation Final". A shortage of hurdles meant that only four lanes were possible, so the Final is in two sections.
In the gloom of evening, the hours of practice evaporated with a misjudgement in the 4 x 100 Relay. The first change resulted in a big loss of time. Even so, they only just failed to make the Final. (47.98)
ON THE FIELD.
Apart from David's achievement in the HJ, Raobu Tarawa competed twice. First in the Shot, in spite of his brilliant PB last Saturday in the Grand Prix, maybe the occasion affected him and he was finally 5th. with 11.76m.
Then in the Javelin, having not had a throw actually measured before (!), he beat his estimated PB by placing 4th. with 45.32m. When he learns to use check marks (and not overstep at the finish) and smooths his technique, he will find 50m. easy ! He has the power. Spikes are also better than flats !
THE USUAL YOYO !
As usual with these events, we have begun to get small injuries. David suffered cramp during his HJ, and was still feeling the effects on his foot of the Grand Prix LJ on Monday. And the normal ups and downs, disappointments and exultation of athletes achieving (or not quite achieving) their goals - all this is happening to us in Saipan. We have yet to see if Kaitinano will respond to her treatment for asthma and be able to participate in the 400Hurdles tomorrow. Unfortunate timing and very frightening for her !
Last Modified on 27/06/2008 09:07