The background !
Having been training/competing in Australia since June 2019, 21-year-old Kiribati athlete Lataisi Mwea, holder of the Mens' National Record for 200m. (and High Jump !), was the fastest male athlete in training. With Covid restrictions still limiting movement plus some confusion and delay in obtaining a visa to enter USA, Lataisi had the final piece fall into place last night. This was when his kit was finally approved for competition use, provided he taped over one of the Nike logos on his shorts !
The race !
Having been entered for the Pacific Mini Games in Saipan earlier in the year, but having to miss those due to visa problems, he had been anxious to finally legally hit the track in Eugene ! He ran this afternoon (July 15) in Heat 3 of the four Preliminaries of the M100m. (These races are held before the actual Heats, giving a chance for the slower athletes to have their own competition, the best of them then proceeding to the Heats proper.) His reaction time of 0.152 was fairly quick and he finished 5th. of the six finishers in 11.43. This is one of his quickest times, but not a PB.
However, when compared to the performances of other Oceania island countries with athletes in these Prelims., i.e. FSM, TUV, PLW, TGA, ASA, and COK, he was the fastest ! The Fiji athlete would have been the fastest (running in Heat 4) but was disqualified for a false start. That's a long way to go for such a disappointing result !
And afterwards ?
Having competed last year in the amazing atmosphere of the Tokyo Olympics, this will have been a completely different experience. Having been on the same track as some of the world's best (in other events), he will have a better idea of what can be achieved. Hopefully, when he eventually gets home back on his home island of Tarawa, he will receive due credit and inspire others by his achievements.
The fact that yesterday, July 14, was the 43rd. Anniversary of Kiribati Independence (from Britain), just meant that he had contributed something to the history of Kiribati Athletics, a bonus for which to feel pride !
Last Modified on 13/08/2022 02:13