TEAM NMI kicked off its campaign on Monday, the opening day of the 2026 Oceania Athletics Championships at Arafura Stadium in Darwin, Australia, highlighted by a strong field performance from veteran thrower Maria Maelaine I. Quitugua and an international debut by middle-distance runner Addalee Taflinger.
Competing in the Women’s Senior Javelin Throw (600g), NMI record-holder Quitugua secured an unofficial 11th-place finish with a top distance of 32.44m on her first attempt. She followed with a 31.44m throw before fouling on her final attempt.
On the track, 16-year-old Taflinger battled a highly competitive international field in Heat 1 of the Women’s U18 800m, crossing the finish line in eighth place with a time of 2:31.55 and setting a resilient tone for the rest of the NMI delegation competing in Darwin through May 23.
