TANIA Tan on Tuesday night claimed the CNMI’s first gold medal at the 2022 Oceania Athletics Championships in Mackay, Australia.
Tan entered the Women’s 10,000m Run Senior with Audrey Hall from Regional Australia as her opponent. Tan gave it her all and completed the long-distance event with a time of 41:15.60.
Hall, however, was disqualified from the race. According to CNMI Coach Dr. Ron Snyder, Hall’s shoe stack was too high, 40 mm, surpassing the limit of 25mm for the track.
“It was a very unfortunate DQ and I am sure [she] will perform amazingly in the 5K on Thursday,” Snyder said, referring to Hall.
Tan said she was happy with her results. “I just feel honored to represent our islands in this meet and to put our name out there!” she said. “I didn’t feel too tired, which is good because I have another race (5K) on Thursday and I really want to do well in that event.”
“We are all very proud of Tania, especially since she is a 5K runner at heart and has only run the 10K once before in a meet,” Snyder said.
“I was expecting a good performance and a medal but am extremely happy that she is bringing home the gold for herself and 10 points for the team,” he added.
Her accomplishment could serve as a morale booster for the rest of the CNMI team, Snyder said.
“We have a good shot in several upcoming events to bring home additional medals and points, which will leave Team CNMI in a better place for future [Oceania Athletics] events. We still have five events to go in the main competition and I look forward to great results. Beyond that, the team is gaining invaluable experience that they will be bringing back to Saipan for the Pacific Mini Games,” which the CNMI will host on June 17-25.
On Thursday, June 9, the CNMI’s Orrin Pharmin will compete in the Men’s 60m Run Masters at 9:55 a.m.; Tiana Cabrera in the Women’s 3,000m Run U18 at 12:05 p.m.; and Tania Tan in the Women’s 5,000m Run Senior at 2:15 p.m.
Audrey Hall of Regional Australia and the NMI’s Tania Tan get ready for the the Women’s 10,000m Run Senior of the 2022 Oceania Athletics Championships in Mackay, Australia.
The CNMI’s Tania Tan poses for a photo with the Commonwealth flag at the 2022 Oceania Athletics Championships in Mackay, Australia on Tuesday.
