The NMI’s Kaithlyn Chavez prepares for the 800m event of the 2023 Oceania Cup at the Oleai Sports Complex track and field oval.
THE NMI did not have the highest medal count in the recently held 2023 Oceania Cup, but local athletes like Kaithlyn Chavez performed well.
In finishing fifth in the 800m event, she also set a new NMI record with a time of 02:29:24.
“I’m honestly blessed to beat the NMI record and I still can’t believe that I have a record on my name,” Chavez said.
She was not aware of setting a new record until NMI coach Elias Rangamar told her about it. “That’s when I started crying,” she said. “I went to my mom afterwards and cried even more.”
Chavez said setting a new NMI record in the 800m distance was her goal. “Last year I was just 1 second off ,” she added.
The 16-year-old multi-athlete believes that the Oceania Cup was a lot tougher than the Pacific Mini Games last year.
The Oceania Cup athletes, she added, “were faster, and their form was just perfect. I was overwhelmed with how they make running seem so easy.”
She said the competition “was harder and just being able to race with Australia and PNG was a big blessing because you never run with them on a daily basis, so I was pushed mentally and physically.”
Asked what her next goal was, she said: “Maybe the 400 or 1500? Honestly, we’ll see what the future holds for me.”
