BASED ON TRIALS.
The places for this age-group (born in 1993 or 1994) competition were offered to Kiribati schools by a series of Trials, starting in September 2009. These were supported by more Trials later in the year. From these, the best male and female athletes (of that age-group) were selected. They then were entered for the Oceania AA under-18 Championships in Sydney in March this year, as a Regional preparation for the YOG in Singapore.
NOOA and ETITA SELECTED.
The two athletes were accompanied by the KAA President (and ex-National Record holder) Mr. Eneree Tataio. He competed in the old OAAA Championships in Tonga in 1998. They travelled with a Chef de Mission (CDM) Mr. Mataiti Bwebwe, and one female Taekwondo competitor, and one male weight-lifter. In Taekwondo, she won her first contest but lost in the next (quarter-final) round. The lifter equalled his PB with 230 kg. total.and placed 7th. in his competition.
SICK - and NOT SICK !
It was very unfortunate for Nooa that he succumbed to illness when he was there and had to obey doctor's orders not to even train for several days. That put him out of the competition.
Meanwhile Etita ran in her Heat (of five Heats) and produced an electronic PB (14.59). Then all the athletes, who had been ranked by their Heat times, had the chance to race again in five graded Finals. Etita enjoyed this experience and again improved her best time, to 14.43.
It is to be hoped that some of this experience will be cascaded down to the lesser lights in their school squad.
Last Modified on 27/09/2010 16:03