SAFE ARRIVAL.
After the advance discussions about difficult transits through Auckland, the team arrived safely in Papeete and has experienced a colourful and enjoyable Opening Ceremony of the 2013 Oceania Regional Championships on Sunday June 02.
DAY 1 RESULTS. (Mon. June 03) Image of Nooa's 100m. Preliminary in London.
On the first day, three of the team competed in the M200m. Heats.
Nooa Takooa placed 4th. in Heat 1. in 23.86 (wind -1.3) and was ranked 12th. overall.
Kiatau Cama placed 4th. in Heat 3. in 24.06 (-1.6) and was 15th. overall.
El-Jay Neneia placed 6th. in Heat 4 in 24.39 (-1.0) and was 19th. overall.
A total of 23 athletes contested these Heats.
DAY 2 RESULTS. (Tues. June 04) Image of Relay practice in Kiribati.
SILVER MEDALS in the RELAY !
4 x 100m. Relay Final.
El-Jay / Kiatau / Tealava / Nooa placed SECOND in 44.46. (Six teams competed.) Near NR.
Long Jump Final. (11 competitors)
El-Jay placed 9th. with 6.08m. (wind -0.2) Just outside his best.
Tealava placed 11th. with 5.43m. (wind 0.0) Well below his best. Disappointing !
DAY 3 RESULTS. (Weds. June 5th.) Image of Triple Jump athlete in Kiribati.
In most respects, this was a poor day for the KAA athletes. This was especially true for the most experienced pair, with Nooa being DQ in the semi-final of the 100m. and then not clearing the starting height (1.65m.) in the High Jump. Kiatau was also below his best in both of those events, not breaking 12 seconds in his 100m,. Heat nor matching his PB of 1.80m. in the High Jump.
El-Jay performed OK in the Triple Jump, but KAA male athletes will not threaten the medals in the Triple Jump unless they can clear 13.50m. consistently. In this TJ competition all the first three jumped over 14.00m., i.e. further than the Kiribati NR ! Tealava ran OK in his Heat of the 100m., but showed his lack of preparation by having three fouls (i.e. no measured jump) in the Triple Jump !
Of course they will be rightly pleased with their Relay medals from Day 2, but if Kiribati is going to re-establish itself as a force even in Micronesia, there is much work to be done. Technical events, i.e. Throws, Jumps, Hurdles, and Relays have made the reputation of KAA in overseas competitions in the last 15 years. Unless more progress is made in these, Kiribati athletes will once more only be making up the numbers. The latent talent is worth much more than that !
100m. (26 competed.)
Heat 4. Nooa. 4. 11.51. (wind -0.1) (Ranked 14.) q Semi-Final. Disqualified.
Heat 3. Tealava. 5. 11.81 (-0.9) (Ranked 19=)
Heat 3. Kiatau. 6. 12.06 (-0.9) (Ranked 24)
High Jump. (Starting height 1.65m.) (5 competitors)
Kiatau placed 4th. with 1.70m.
Nooa did not clear the starting height.
Triple Jump. (6 competitors)
El-Jay placed 5th. jumping 12.53m. (wind 0.0)
Tealava had three fouls (i.e. no jump measured).
Last Modified on 06/06/2013 20:37