ZARINAE Sapong of the NMI recorded a new personal best time of 12:98 in the women’s 100m event of the ongoing World Athletics Championships at the University of Oregon.
Zarinae Sapong smiles for the camera before the start of the women’s 100m event of the World Athletics Championships at the University of Oregon.
In heat 6 of the Women’s 100m race, Sapong went up against six others sprinters.
“I’m ecstatic!” said Sapong. After sustaining an injury early in the season, she felt that it was a major setback, both physically and mentally. “But to run a new personal best at the world championships feels amazing,” she said. “I’m grateful to have had my coach [Elias Rangamar] by my side and an amazing support system back home,” she added.
With Sapong in Oregon were five members of Run Saipan who cheered her on — Edward Dela Cruz Jr., Sildrey Veloria, Gerald Galang, Jenna Kong, Simon Necesito and Jalen Lucido.
Team Run Saipan participated in the ASICS World Ekiden last year, placing 2,277th out of 5,952 teams and winning a trip to the World Athletics Championships.
“It was an amazing feeling,” Run Saipan President Edward Dela Cruz Jr. said. “Seeing one of our own compete at the world stage, you can’t help but feel so happy and proud of her. There are no words to describe how we are feeling. To witness the best in the world in athletics do what they do is just insane.”
Dela Cruz added, “These people break human limitations and barriers. I’m glad we got to see it. We are forever indebted to ASICS for sponsoring our trip. We have gotten experience that’s worth a life time. It’s not just watching the athletes but meeting people from all over the world. The community we met here are just like us — we all have passion for the sport. This sport transcends the boundaries of nationalities, ethnicities and ideologies.”
Zarinae Sapong’s name is displayed before the start of the women’s 100m event of the World Athletics Championships which is being held from July 15 to 24 at the University of Oregon.
