(5th September, 2011)
After a sunny Sunday, the rainy conditions returned for the first full day of competition. We started with the Decathlon 100m. First across the line was Kolinio Qarau (FIJ) narrowly edging-out Reginald Monagi (PNG) who had recovered from his Pole Vault mishap on Saturday night.
The heats of the 800m indicated that the Women’s Final would be dominated by the PNG trio of Salome Dell, Donna Koniel and Cecilia Kumalalemene. The Men’s Final looks to be a victory for the host nation as the form of Adrien Kela has been excellent all year and he eased his way to an easy win in his heat. The struggle for the two remaining medals will be fierce with Varasiko Tomeru (FIJ), Arnold Sorina (VAN) and the two PNG athletes Kevin Kapmatana and Veherney Babob seeming to be in good form and hungry for success.
The afternoon’s action started with the Women’s Triple Jump Final. Betty Burua (PNG), better known as a sprinter and hurdler, took the lead with her first jump, and was never headed. She finished with a windy jump of 11.83m. Manuella Gavin (NCL), with her last jump, closed to within 6cms of Betty but had to be content with the silver medal. Pre-Games favourite, Veronique Boyer of Tahiti, came third with 11.56m - just one centimetre shy of her yearly best.
The Triple Jump finished in heavy rain, which became stronger as the heats of the Women’s and Men’s 100m events took place.
Qualifying for the 100m Final, to be held tomorrow were Toea Wisil (PNG – 12.25), Sisilia Seavula (FIJ – 12.45), Venessa Waro (PNG – 12.47), Paulini Korowaqa (FIJ – 12.63), Lovelite Detenamo (NRU – 12.68), Patricia Taea (COK – 12.69), Pollara Cobb (GUM – 12.86) & Helen Philemon (PNG – 12.90). The three athletes who bettered their own National Records in Daegu, all qualified for the Final.
The main qualifers for the men’s 100m Semi-Finals were Banuve Tabakaucoro (FIJ – 11.02), Ruwan Gunasinghe (PNG – 11.04), David Alexandrine (NCL – 11.16), Paul Zongo (NCL – 11.17), Moses Kamut (VAN – 11.26) and Kupun Wisil (PNG – 11.30).
During the 100m heats, the Wheelchair Shot Put for Men was held, with the Paralympic Gold Medal winner, and former World Record Holder, Thierry Cibone (NCL) gaining a Pacific Games gold medal with a throw of 10.90m (1140 points). Second was Jean-Pierre Talatini (NCL) 10.12m and 1054 points and Pasilone Tafilagi (NCL) claiming the bronze medal with a throw of 11.13m (800 points). The throwers had differing degrees of ability and were throwing different weight shots. The outcome of the event is based on points scored for their category – not just the distance thrown. There will be other AWD/Handisports events held during the Games.
The Women’s Discus throw was conducted on the far side of the Numa Daly Stadium and sadly the events as they unfolded were a mystery to all of those in the stands. The winner was Samoa’s Margaret Satupai (52.05m) from Tonga’s ‘Ana Po’uhila (48.22) and Javelin specialist, Bina Ramesh from New Caledonia (45.48). Defending champion, and Games Record Holder, Tereapii Tapoki (COK) came 4th with a distance of 45.12m.
The Men’s 3000m Steeplechase resulted in a minor upset, when local runner, Theo Houdret (9:49.30) defeated PNG’s defending champion Sapolai Yao (9:53.33). Elated at coming third, after just scraping into the PNG Team was Skene Kiage, who recorded a personal best of 9:55.90. Evergreen Chris Votu (SOL) had his fastest time of the year – 10:06.45 – and finished fourth.
The Women’s 5000m promised to be a fascinating race. Those who remembered the great clash from the Apia Games four years ago were wondering if age and experience this time could overcome the challenge of youth. The answer was – yes it could. A large pack of young athletes – from Fiji, PNG and the Solomon Islands - followed early leader, Anne Sophie Barle (TAH). Gradually the hot pace caused them to drop off one by one - with the exception of Mereseini Naidau (FIJ). Anne Beaufils (NCL) slowly edged her way into the lead and opened-up a big gap on second. Mereseini Naidau and Sophie Gardon (TAH) kept clear of the rest of the field and made sure that they claimed the minor medals. The gold, however, went emphatically to Anne Beaufils in a time of 18:39.98, much to the delight of the home crowd. Congratulations also to Sophie Gardon for winning her sixth medal in Pacific Games distance races.
The final event of the day was the 400m for the Decathletes. With the event half over, the scores of the leading athletes were – Reginald Monagi (PNG – 3138 points), Eric Reuillard (NCL – 3021 points), Kolinio Qarau (FIJ – 2971 points), Lilian Garcon (NCL – 2847 points) and Lars Fa’apoi (TGA – 2811 points). The second day should see Eric Reuillard come to the front as he has superior throwing power and is a 5.00m vaulter. These valuable points are expected to lead him to the gold - but the race for the minor medals should be an absorbing struggle as the strengths and the weaknesses of the athletes bring about many changes in the point-score.
Article by Bob Snow