TEAM NMI middle-distance runner Landen Taflinger secured a silver medal in the Men’s 800m U20 division at the 2026 Oceania Athletics Championships on Thursday in Darwin, Australia.
The 18-year-old clocked a stellar time of 2:05.70 to earn a spot on the regional podium. Although Mason Walker of Team Hawai’i Athletics crossed the finish line first in 2:02.22, Hawai’i competed at the championships as an associate, non-scoring delegation, with official medals awarded only to full regional members.
Guam’s Rynier Di Ramos, who finished in 2:02.40, won the official Oceania gold medal, while Taflinger claimed silver for Team NMI. Hawai’i’s James Payne finished behind him in 2:12.06.
