When Rellie Kaputin resumed her training with Coach Phillip Newton in Kingscliff NSW late in February her chances of making it to the Olympics in Tokyo looked bleak. Sidelined with injury, East New Britain’s golden girl of Track and Field had endured a lonely and mentally challenging six months in Port Moresby as she worked to rehabilitate her injury under the guidance of Team PNG Physio Matthew Natusch and with the assistance of Hendriella Vilosi from the Sports Foundations HP Unit. Few athletes would have had the mental fortitude to do the daily exercises and make the three times a week trip to the Taurama Aquatic Centre which was often a challenge in itself. However Kaputin was determined to pursue her Olympic dream and has seized with both hands the second chance that she has been given through the deferral of the Games to 2021
The outlook is now very different for the PNG National Record Holder who is already back to full fitness and eagerly looking forward to the opportunity to compete again. “Rellie’s six days a week training regime which includes three sessions on some days is beginning to show results” said APNG President Tony Green. “Coach Newton reported last week that in testing conducted as part of Rellie’s training programme she is already ahead of where she was in June 2019, just prior to her sensational performances at the Oceania Championships in Townsville.” Kaputin is reported to be totally focused on achieving her potential and qualifying for the Games next year.
Last Modified on 25/06/2020 13:34