POPULARITY ? Not the same as the Wrestling !
As has been the case all week, Day 1. (Friday July 13.) for us dawned fine and hot. The scheduled time for Athletics was 2.00 p.m. When we arrived there was a packed stand and a ring of police-controlled public on the Football pitch, certainly about 1000 people. We waited for the Wrestling Final to be completed, then the crowd (watching since 9.00 a.m. !!!) evaporated slowly. About 20 stayed to watch the Athletics events !
DAY 1. RESULTS.
In the 60m. Hurdles, the Girls' Race (no holes) was won by (Olympian and Committee Member) Kaitinano with a semblance of technique in 11.7. Beteru predictably won the Mens' Race (two holes) , although clipping three flights, in 9.5.
Then we had 1000m. races. Banrenga won the W1000 easily in 4-00.6 from Arititeti (4-14.2). The M1000 was much closer with three in a very tight finish. Tanini, the superior 800m. runner, delayed his effort and was just out-sprinted (see photo above). The winner was new find Taburenga in 2-44.1, sharing the time with Tanini, with Ioabo close in 2-44.3.
The 300m. gave another excellent race with all three within 0.5. Kaitinano muscled a win in 58.00, from Lilly (58.1) and Alice (58.5). The Mens' race showed the consistency of Tearoba (when not getting disqualified !) for a win in 39.7. Developing talent Matiota ran a PB 40.5.
A break from the Track brought some total newcomers (from the crowd !!) for the Reverse Overhead Throw ! First the girls were joined by three mature ladies who came onto the field to "have a go" ! Of the women, Kaitinano showed better technique to throw the 4k. shot 8.42m., beating Mareta (7.98m.) 12 participated. The Men used the 7.26k. shot and our latest Committee Member (and regular coach) Eria learned quickly to win with 10.29m. One of the three men who came out of the spectators finished as runner-up. He is Boraia (9.73m.) We hope he and the others will come again. That is the idea of a "different" Independence programme ! There were 10 male throwers. (See photo of the winners in action, here and in the previous "Independence" story.)
The second Field event was a Standing Triple Jump (one stride to the board). Again Kaitinano showed her experience to win with 6.71m., with Lilly second at 6.34m. 11 girls jumped. Of the six males, David (the High Jump champion) won with 8.69m. from sprinter Tearoba with 7.79m.
The final event on Day 1. was the 4 x 200m. Relay. There were three teams in each race. The twelve girls, who could have composed a faster four, produced a fair race and quite a quick time with 2-07.5 for the winners. The twelve boys split their resources, which gave a better race but a slow winning time of 1-45.2 Overall a three hour programme which seemed to be enjoyed by all. Thanks to all !
E.A.D. Events.
K.A.A. also helped to stage the Field events for the Disabled Group (Te Toamatoa). There are no special facilities on their "home patch" so they used a "line in the dirt" as their circle. There were competitions for men and women (nine of each participated) in categories for blind, arm disability, leg disability, and wheelchair. Life proved to be quite exciting for the Technical Officials when we had Discus landing on the adjacent main road, hitting the gate, and whistling through an unoccupied tent ! However, the endeavour and very fair applause were both genuine.
Summary of Results.
In the Shot, the best efforts by Women were by leg disabled athletes with Taaruru winning with 4.85m. and Ren pushing 4.65m. The best two men were both blind and both used a basic shift technique. Tewaki won with 9.30m. and Tebiria was second with 8.55m.
The Discus provided the most interest (!!) The best three women threw over 13m. This time Ren beat Taaruru with 13.80m. to 13.70. Blind girl Kantaake was a close third with 13.65m. For the men, with all throws being measured, Tewaki again beat Tebiria, both men recording a best of 17.80m. Hot and sweaty but another interesting experience !
Last Modified on 15/07/2007 17:02