THE Northern Marianas Sports Association on Tuesday hosted an Appreciation Night to honor and recognize the historic achievements of Team Marianas in 10th Micronesian Games held in Majuro, the Marshall Islands last month.
The NMI athletes won an impressive 122 medals, including the Micronesian Games record of 70 gold medals.
Lt. Gov David M. Apatang, Saipan Mayor Ramon “RB” Camacho, Senate President Edith Deleon Guerrero and other lawmakers joined NMSA officials in honoring the athletes.
“We were here just three weeks ago, and I don’t think anybody expected the outcome of the competition,” Northern Marianas Sports Association President Jerry Tan said in his remarks. “We are here to celebrate 122 medals — 70 gold, 23 silver and 29 bronze.”
He thanked the eight participating sports federations, adding that Team Marianas medaled in all eight sports they participated in.
“NMSA, as a board, is to support the 17 national federations and we want to give maximum opportunities to all the athletes and that is what we will continue to do,” he said.
In a span of 25 months, Team Marianas has competed and medaled in the 2022 Pacific Mini-Games, the 2023 Pacific Games, and the 2024 Micronesian Games.
Lt. Governor Apatang, for his part, thanked the athletes and sports officials for professionally and admirably representing the NMI in the Micro Games.
Each athlete received monetary incentives for every medal they earned in the Micro Games: $500 for each gold medal, $300 for each silver, and $200 for each bronze with a cap incentive of $2,000.
Leading the list of NMI medalists were the swimmers with 49 gold, 15 silver and 14 bronze. Isaiah Aleksenko and Maria Batallones led the gold haul with a total of nine each followed by Kean Pajarillaga with seven gold, Frances Raho with four gold, Kouki Watanabe with three gold, and Shoko Litulumar with three gold.
The list of medalists also include:
Athletics (5 gold, 2 silver, 6 bronze)
Gold: Tania Tan (1,500m; 5,000m; 10K) Lyle Andrew (hammer throw) Maria Quitugua (women’s javelin);
Silver: Simon Tang (men’s 110 hurdles) Cody Shimizu (men’s 400 hurdles);
Bronze: Maria Quitugua (women’s 100m hurdles; triple jump) Lia Rangamar (hammer throw) Justin Camacho (men’s 110 hurdles) Lyle Andrew (men’s discus) Daniel Joab (hammer)
Basketball (1 silver)
Silver: NMI Women’s National Basketball Team
Beach volleyball (2 bronze)
Bronze: Kathy Winkfield/Aurora Santos (women’s division);
Bronze: Jermaine Salas/Dylan Mister (men’s division)
Fast-Pitch (1 bronze)
Bronze: NMI Women’s National Fast-Pitch Team
Tennis (7 gold, 2 bronze)
Gold: Men’s Team Event (Si Woo Lee, Colin Ramsey, Robbie Schorr)
Women’s Team Event (Hoo Wang, Hannah Chae, Isabel Heras, Irin Chung)
Men’s Singles (Robbie Schorr)
Women’s Singles (Isabel Heras)
Women’s Doubles (Hoo Wang/Isabel Heras)
Men’s Doubles (Robbie Schorr/Colin Ramsey)
Mixed Doubles (Isabel Heras/Robbie Schorr)
Bronze: Irin Chung (Women’s Singles) Hoo Wang/Colin Ramsey
Weightlifting (3 gold, 5 silver, 4 bronze)
Gold: Kaya Rasa (59kg clean and jerk; snatch; total weight)
Silver: Riella Ichiuo (76kg clean and jerk; snatch; total weight) Leo Cristobal (67kg clean and jerk; total weight)
Bronze: Antonette Labausa (81kg clean and jerk; snatch; total weight) Leo Cristobal (67kg snatch)
Wrestling (6 gold)
Gold: James Attao-Greene Jr. (79kg freestyle; Greco-Roman; beach wrestling) Ryan Babauta (97kg freestyle; Greco; beach wrestling)
Passion and commitment
Kaya Rasa, first-time Micro Games and gold medal athlete, delivered the closing remarks.
She recognized the sponsors’ contributions, which provided necessary resources and reinforced the athletes’ passion and commitment.
To her fellow athletes, she said: “Your dedication, hard work and perseverance have truly paid off. This remarkable achievement is a testament to our passion and unwavering determination. Our victory not only brings honor to us, but to everyone that supported us along the way.”
She added, “The CNMI team arrived, conquered, and left a mark. In return, we strive to display our capabilities to the world. The most fulfilling aspect was not the triumph but relishing every moment.”
Team Marianas is now preparing for the Pacific Mini Games that will be held in Palau next year.
Team Marianas athletes pose for a group photo during the Appreciation Night hosted by the Northern Marianas Sports Association at the Ada gym on Tuesday.
NMI weightlifter and Micro Games gold medalist Kaya Rasa delivers her remarks during the Appreciation Night hosted by the Northern Marianas Sports Association at the Ada gym on Tuesday.
Team Marianas tennis players Lydia Tan, Irin Chung and Si Woo Lee.
Maria Quitugua won gold in women’s javelin in last month’s Micronesian Games.
More photos from the Appreciation Night hosted by the Northern Marianas Sports Association at the Ada gym on Tuesday.
Lt. Gov. David M. Apatang
Saipan Mayor RB Camacho
