Rellie Kaputin set her second Pacific Games record today in winning the triple jump with a massive 13.26m which was just 2cm outside her own National record. Annie Topal collected the bronze with a personal best 12.22m. PNG added three further gold to bring its tally to 12 for these Games with one day to go. Adrine Monagi was not seriously challenged in the heptathlon and ran out a comfortable winner with 4837 points. Poro Gahekave led a second trifecta of these Games as PNG swept the medals in the 3000m steeplechase with Esther Boram second and Tuna Tine third. Benjamin Aliel won a high-quality men's 400m race in 48.01sec from Bradly Toa of Vanuatu and Ephraim Lerkin in third. It was another superbly timed effort from Aliel, a newcomer to the national team who has displayed great maturity in his races. However, PNG had to play second fiddle to Fiji in both 4*100m races with the men losing out by a fraction of a second. The women's race was not so close and PNG narrowly avoided disqualification by not running their athletes in the declared order. In the end, the judges accepted that an administrative mix up contributed to the situation and allowed the result to stand. Bronze medals were also collected by Debono Paraka in the hammer throw, Simbai Kaspar in the steeplechase and by Nancy Malamut with a significant personal best 58.24seconds in the 400m
Athletics PNG set itself a target of 18 to 22 gold medals for these Games and with at least nine events on the final day where PNG be fighting for gold the prospect of reaching the target of 18 by collecting six gold seems realistic. Tomorrow promises to be a very exciting day said President Tony Green, with all six PNG athletes through to the 200m finals, Rellie Kaputin in the high jump, Peniel Richard in the triple jump, Poro Gahekave in her favourite 1500m event and both 4*400 relays. Adrine Monagi starts a strong favourite in the women's 100m hurdles and Mowen Boino will carry the flag
for PNG in the men's 110m hurdles.
Last Modified on 14/12/2017 04:55