BRAVE BOITU.
For 23-year-old Boitu Baiteke this was a venture into the unknown. Competing in the Mens Decathlon in the 9th. Pacific Mini Games being held in Wallis and Futuna, he became the first I-Kiribati man to attempt a multi-event greater than the Octathlon. This meant he had to try Pole Vault as one of the ten events, something which KAA has not yet attempted. He is accompanied by Brian Fukuyama, Head Coach and Vice-President of KAA.
There were four competitors, Boitu plus two from Tonga and one from the hosts. As could be expected, he did relatively well in Jumps and Throws - even including the Pole Vault for some points - and found enough speed and skill to complete satisfactory 100m. and 110m. Hurdles. However, the 400m. was hard and the final event (1500m.) proved too much, a damaged leg forcing him to be hospitalised before he could complete it. Nevertheless an excellent first effort and, since he had started the 1500, he fulfilled the conditions necessary for him to be credited with a full Decathlon result. So now he has two more NRs, for Pole Vault (2.10m.) and Decathlon (4069 points)..
Apart from the fact that he enjoys the event and is the holder of the NR, he also attempted the Triple Jump !!! This seems a strange choice when he was involved in a Decathlon, and may account for him being unable to complete the 1500 ? It also worked against him that in the Decathlon LJ and the individual TJ his best trials were into a strong headwind (of -2.9 and -2.8 m/s respectively - significantly worse than for his opponents !)
Sprinter John Ruuka also travelled but was prevented from participating due to an administrative error.
RESULTS.
DECATHLON.
Day 1. (Sept. 3rd.)
100m. 4th. 12.12. (628 points) 400m. 4th. 1-02.96 (318 ) HJ 3rd. 1.67m. (520)
LJ 3rd. 5.98m. (582) Wind -2.9 Shot. 2nd. 10.33m. (505) TOTAL = 2553
By comparison the other three had totalled 3000, 2957, and 2737 by the end of Day 1.
Day 2. (Sept. 4th.)
110m. Hurdles. 4th. 18.66 (463) Discus. 2nd. 31.70m. (498) PV. 4th. 2.10m. (159)
Javelin. 4th. 36.98m. (396) 1500m. DNF OVERALL TOTAL = 4069 points.
So for the nine events he completed, he scored 4079 compared with 4893, 4809, and 4564 scored by the others at that stage. Overall a remarkably brave effort for a big man !
TRIPLE JUMP. (Sept. 4th.)
Boitu finished 6th. out of 7 competitors clearing 12.87m. into a -2.8 headwind ! In the circumstances this too was a gallant effort.
IMAGES.
Boitu on his own; and the tallest of the group training with Brian.
Last Modified on 24/02/2014 07:16