By Francis Gabriel, Port Moresby 2015 Games News Service
PORT MORESBY, July 10 – The host country, Papua New Guinea, whipped its opponents on the way to victory in the team tennis final at the Port Moresby Racquests Club on Thursday.
Abigail Tere-Apisah (PNG) and her neice, Voilet Apisah (PNG), were part of the gold medal winning team.
PNG easily beat New Caledonia, 2-0, in the gold medal final, while Tahiti defeated Fiji, 2-1, for the bronze medal.
Tere-Apisah, who has been going to university and training in the United States, said the victory felt great.
“It was awesome,” said Tere-Apisah, who will be defending her doubles title with her sister, Marcia, later in the Games.
“It’s really nice to have friends and family come out to support us play on home soil and win gold. The win is not only for ourselves but for our family and our country.”
Her father, coach Kwalam Apisah (PNG), was emotional as he described how proud he was of the team for putting in the time and effort to achieve this dream.
“It’s a great feeling, not only for PNG tennis but the country,” Apisah said.
“When I started playing tennis, the highest medal I won was silver in Guam. Just for the record, this is the first gold medal we’ve ever received in tennis on home soil.”
A former tennis player himself, Kwalam, said he was proud of his daughters.
“The girls have achieved their dreams in all the years we’ve put into tennis. The feeling is just awesome.”
In the men’s team final, New Caledonia beat Vanuatu, 2-0, to win the gold medal,
and Tahiti overcame a strong fight by PNG to take the bronze 2-0.
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