Participants take off from the starting line of the Men’s 60 Meter event of the Oceania Masters Championships Thursday at the Oleai Sports Complex Oval track and field.
The NMI’s Chiharu Sato, center, Jessica Ortizo, left, and Lainnie Price pose after receiving their medals in the Women’s 60 Meters 50-54 age group of the Oceania Masters Championships Thursday at the Oleai Sports Complex Oval track and field.
An Australian athlete takes her shot in the Women’s Javelin Event of the Oceania Masters Championships Thursday at the Oleai Sports Complex Oval track and field.
THE Oceania Masters Championships kicked off Thursday with the NMI and Australia winning several medals.
In the Men’s 60 Meter Masters Championships, the NMI and Australia won four gold medals each in their respective age group divisions.
The NMI’s Orrin Pharmin earned gold in the 30-34 age group with a finish time of 8.03 followed by the Marshall Islands’ Kevin Harkey who won silver with a time of 9.35, and the NMI’s Kelvin Fitial who received the bronze with a time of 12.19.
Also winning gold was the NMI’s James Lee who topped the 40-44 age group with a time of 8.67 followed by the NMI’s Steven Beyer at 8.98, and Samoa’s Ah Chong Sam Chong at 9.44.
Greg Borja added the third gold for the NMI as the only competitor in the 45-49 age group with a time of 9.53. Tony Ichiuo, also of the NMI, likewise went solo in the 55-59 age group with a time of 9.54.
Australia’s Kenneth Voung topped the 30-34 age group with a time of 7.22 followed by teammate Shakti Rathore at 7.23, and the NMI’s Angel San Nicolas who clocked 9.14.
The other three gold medals were won by Australians George Jankowski with a time of 9.91 in the 60-64 age group; Daryl Ellis with a time of 8.91 in the 60-64 age group; and Dieter Lacko with a time of 10.69 in the 75-79 age group.
Stanley Iakopo, representing America Samoa, bagged a gold medal in the 50-54 age group with a time of 8.29 followed by the NMI’s Leith Poole at 9.16, and the NMI’s Glenn Smith at 10.08.
In the Women’s 60 Meter Masters Championships, the NMI led the pack with two gold medals.
The NMI’s Chiharu Sato topped the 50-54 age group with a time of 10.32 followed by teammates Jessica Ortizo at 11.26, and Lainnie Price at 11.85.
The other gold medal was claimed by the NMI’s Jeanne Rayphand, the only competitor in the 80-84 age group, with a finish time of 19.19.
Also winning gold was Australia’s Cassie Neubauer who led the 40-44 age group with a time of 9.67 followed by the NMI’s Natalie Hill-Beyer at 10.25, and the NMI’s Sheila Isla at 11.82.
Papua New Guinea’s Rachael Dorsy-Laing won gold in the 60-64 age group with a time of 8.93 while Australia’s Liz Neubauer ruled the 70-74 age group with a time of 13.16.
The NMI also did well in the Men’s and Women’s 5000 Meter Masters Championships.
The men’s division gold medal winners were the NMI’s Edward Dela Cruz (30-34), Keith Longuski (35-39), Chad Taflinger (40-44), Kosuke Sato (50-54), Chong Nam Lee (65-69), and Changwhan Jang (70-74).
The women’s division gold medal winners were the NMI’s Sheila Isla in the 40-44 age group, and Akiko Miller in the 50-54 age group.
In an interview, Oceania Athletics Association Executive Director Yvonne Mullins said: “I think we have lots of people and local content here. The NMI [athletes] are competing really well against everybody. I think it has opened up a whole new world for people over 30 years of age that they can come out and compete and have fun and stay fit — we think this is what the masters are all about.”
Mullins added, “This is the first time we’ve had the masters championships in the NMI. It’s a great opportunity for sport to grow and for every age group to be involved. You have the most incredible facility here — it’s the best facility in the Micronesia and the only real facility we have in the Pacific. Having an athletics and the track and field program for all the ages is a great opportunity.”
220 athletes are participating in the Oceania Cup and Oceania Masters Championships.
