TREMENDOUS EFFORT !
Having been leading at the end of Day 1, Beijing-bound Rabangaki Nawai wondered if his 134 point lead would be enough to keep him ahead. Placing 4th. in the Hurdles (with a PB 17.32) immediately put him 2nd. to Tahiti with an Australian third. A HJ of 1.62m. (with others clearing 1.77) still kept him in second. In the Javelin, a strong event for him, he again took second with 47.52m., and a brave run into 4th. place in the 1000m. (a National Record of 3-07.32), in an event won comfortably by the Australian, was sufficient for the Australian to win overall with 4927 points to Rabangaki's 4901. This was a great effort and justified all the hard work in preparation.
OTHERS KEPT TRYING.
Beteru Ateri, our top hurdler, ran in a Heat of the 400H and placed fourth in 1-03.40. There were only four flights due to a lack of hurdles at the track ! (Still on their way from US !) Later he ran in the 'A' Final of the 110mH and improved his Heat time to 17.13. (By now another 10 hurdles had been delivered and he placed fifth.)
In the LJ, David Birati could not quite match his PB 5.97 of Mondays G.P. meeting but nevertheless obtained valuable experience by getting three legal jumps with a best of 5.82m. for 11th. place. He was also able to see in action Frederic Erin of New Caledonia, an outstanding exponent !
As has been suggested elsewhere, the under-18 800m. provided a few lessons for Kiakia Tekambwa. The main one was about pace judgement. As happens with many inexperienced athletes, he went with the "quick boys" and went through the bell in third place in under-60. Soon after 500m., he felt the pain and slowed dramatically to eventually trail the field. (3-15.38)
Ans so, as ever, we have had our ups and downs !
Last Modified on 28/06/2008 17:55