Toea Wisil captured her second gold of this year’s Pacific Mini Games as she steered Papua New Guinea to women’s 4×100 metres relay success in Saipan.
After winning the women’s 100m title on Tuesday (June 21), the 34-year-old sprinter teamed up with Adrine Monagi, Isila Apkup and Leonie Beu to claim relay gold in a time of 45.85 secs.
They powered to victory, beating New Caledonia who were almost three seconds back in 48.50, while hosts Northern Mariana Islands clocked 53.98 for bronze.
It was another strong day for Papua New Guinea in athletics as they achieved five more gold medals to add to their impressive haul.
Daniel Baul topped a Papua New Guinea one-two in the men’s 400m hurdles, winning in 52.33 ahead of Ephraim Lerkin who came home in 52.81.
Jireh Westerlund of Samoa completed the podium in 57.17.
Papua New Guinea also claimed the top two spots in the men’s 400m with Shadrick Tansi beating Emmanuel Wanga to the gold medal.
Tansi finished in 47.90 as Wanga collected silver in 48.18 and Samuela Railoa earned bronze in 48.59.
Mary Tenge was another Papua New Guinea gold medallist on the track as she crossed the finish line in 11:50.24 to seal top spot in the women’s 300m steeplechase.
Annie Topal of Papua New Guinea backed up her women’s long jump title by winning the triple jump crown after producing a leap of 12.73 metres.
Rellie Kaputin had to settle for silver again behind Topal as she jumped 12.40m, while Manuella Gavin of New Caledonia won bronze with 11.98m.
Loan Ville of New Caledonia denied Topal a hat-trick of titles as she bagged women’s 400m hurdles gold in 1:02.02.
Topal came second in 1:09.80, with Lucie Turpin of New Caledonia finishing third in 1:10.43.
Charlize Goody of Australia triumphed in the women’s discus throw with 43.58m as Loveleina Wong-Sang of French Polynesia claimed silver with 37.59m and ʻAta Maama Tuutafaiva of Tonga secured bronze with 37.02m.
The men’s 5,000m title was won by Ben Zorgnotti of French Polynesia in 15:35.39 as the other two podium places went to Siune Kagl of Papua New Guinea and Yeshnil Karan of Fiji who clocked 15:36.66 and 15:37.15 respectively.
Fiji emerged victorious from the men’s 4x100m relay, taking gold in 41.17 as Samoa finished second in 41.51 and Papua New Guinea came third in 41.77.
There was also success for Fiji in the men’s high jump with Malakai Kaiwalu claiming top honours with 2.00m.
He was followed by two Papua New Guinea athletes in Karo Iga and Peniel Richard, who registered 1.97m and 1.90m respectively.
Tumatai Dauphin of French Polynesia won the men’s shot put crown with 15.55m, while De’bono Paraka of Papua New Guinea sealed silver with 13.64m and Dennis Borja of the Northern Mariana Islands secured bronze with 12.08m
Para athletics competitions also took place with Rose Vandegou of New Caledonia winning the women’s javelin throw with 22.54m.
Second place went to Regina Edward of Papua New Guinea with 23.91m, while Jeminah Otoa of Solomon Islands came third with 25.23m.
Iosefo Rakesa of Fiji won men’s javelin throw gold with 36.93m, beating Cosmol Maefolia of Solomon Islands who threw 31.39m and Steven Abraham of Papua New Guinea who notched 33.37m.
Elsewhere, Eileen Cikamatana of Australia enjoyed weightlifting success, winning the women’s 87 kilogram title with 281.724 points.
Iuniara Sipala of Samoa won women’s over-87kg gold with 262.072, beating compatriot Lesila Fiapule who came second with 262.072.
Manine Lynch of the Cook Islands completed the podium with 257.117 for bronze.
SOURCE: INSIDE THE GAMES/PACNEWS
