Yvette Bennett is leaving today for Doha, Qatar to compete in the World Indoor Track & Field Championships that will be held from March 12 to 14.
She will be the first NMI young athlete to pursue a record in the 60-meter sprint for which she has been preparing herself in the last several days and had her last practice yesterday with coach, Elias Rangamar.
“I haven’t competed in 60-meter sprint before. This is going to be my first time,” says Yvette who was giving herself seven seconds speed in yesterday’s practice.
The Kagman sprint princess brought home a bronze medal after competing in the 200-meter dash, along with her twin sister, Yvonne in the Oceania Regional Championship in Gold Coast, Australia last year.
“I need to push myself more and I know I can improve my time,” she said.
Going to Sydney, Australia tomorrow are 16-year-old Ryan Ichihara, Lia Rangamar and Reylynn Sapong who will be competing in the Oceania U18 Championship that will be held also from March 12 to 14.
Doing the U18 track and field events separately from Open competition will be done for the first time according to coach Elias.
Coach Elias considers Ichihara as the new fastest high school runner. He may not have set a record yet, but coach said the Marianas High School student is among the up and coming athletes of NMI.
Ryan is having mixed emotions as he prepare for the event.
“I’m nervous and at the same time excited,” he said.
15-year-old Lia who won gold medal after hurling the farthest spear in the women’s division of javelin throw and got silver medal in the long jump during the Oceania Regional said she still needs “a push.”
Although the U18 Championship is more of another challenge to her, Lia said her recent feat motivates her.
“It boosted my confidence,” says Lia who vowed to break his own record.
Raynelyn is doing 400-meter and 800-meter runs.
Since she was a small kid, coach Elias said Raynelynn has been doing sprint. And now that she’s now moving up to long distance runs, NMI’s youngest delegate will also be facing a big challenge to set a record in the event she will be competing for the first time.
