ONE CHAMPION and FOUR NEW FACES !
Included in the group is David Birati who won the High Jump at these Championships in 2008. This was our first-ever gold medal at this level. He will defend his High Jump title and also participate in the MLJ and MTJ, plus the final (400m.) leg of the Open Mixed Medley Relay.
Also in the Open age-group is Tioiti (Joyce) Katutu who ran in the World Championships 100m. in Berlin last year. This time she has qualified to compete in the WLJ and WTJ and will also contest the 200m. She is a reserve for the first (100m.) leg of the Mixed Medley.
FOUR NEW INTERNATIONALS !
Having qualified in the under-20 100m., 200m., and Long Jump, outstanding young (age 15) prospect, Kaingaue David, will contest these, plus "get used to the system" by running in the 400m. on Day 1. She is the current SENIOR National Record holder in this event (1-06.1). She is also expected to run the third (200m.) leg of the Open Relay.
Another champion from the Senior Inter-School for the last few years, Beiauea Kakianako, will contest the u-20 LJ and TJ, for which she has qualified. She will also go in the 400m. on Day 1, also to "get into the system". She is expected to run the first (100m.) leg of the Relay.
The third "new face" is Atanuea Eriata, a sprinter-jumper who has been in the top three in his age-group again for the last few years. He will contest the u-20 HJ, LJ, and TJ and also run the second (100m.) leg in the Relay.
Finally the only thrower in the group. This is Sunnity Aritema who will contest the u-20 Shot and Discus. He too has been the Schools' champion in these events for the last two years. He has also been working on Hammer throwing and hopefully will record a reputable, legal throw ! He will NOT run in the Relay !
ALL DOMESTIC CHAMPIONS - or nearly !
Our selections were based on our field events being at a higher level than our track. Thus the emphasis on jumps and throws. We studied the results this year from our domestic KAA Championships, World Athletics Day, Inter-School, and Independence.
All our selections have (a) reached the OAA qualifying standard in at least two events; (b) are the best we have in the respective age-groups; and (c) have proved their quality on more than one occasion.
NOT FORGETTING THE OFFICIALS !
The two male coaches with the group are Tekabara Raurenti (who passed his CECS Level 2 last year and is Assistant Secretary in KAA; and Been Bibiti who was elected to the KAA Committee in March this year, as a representative of the athletes. They are both on the staff at local schools.
RESULTS UP-DATES.
As we receive results from OAA, they will be added to this story or maybe printed to create a new story. Please check !
Last Modified on 26/09/2010 09:20