By Fidelis Sukina – EMTV Sports, Port Moresby
Nelson stone was a household name after his performance in the 2015 Pacific Games. Papua New Guineas at the Sir John Guise outdoor stadium and those with Television sets watched as he bolted through to the finish line in the 400m and 4X400m relay for gold while others read of it in the papers the next day.
These days Nelson has left his track shoe for a corner office at budget rent a car as a sales consultant.
“I am happily retired and now I work as a sales consultant, I am also using my profile as an athlete to find clients for the business.” Stone said with a slight grin.
The 2019 Pacific Games is 28 days away from the opening ceremony, and stone has accomplished enough in his 11 year athletics career to call it quits. He will not be there to defend his 400m Gold Medal.
“I watched the 1991 pacific games with my dad and older brother, and back than it was Subul Babo and Takale Tuna who were the athletic stars, it was great to win gold in 2015 and Subul was there as well it was amazing.
“I still have my training routine despite being retired, I felt I accomplished a lot, I went to the Pacific games in 2012 and I decided to settle down and find a job,” Stone added.
Stone still has his old athlete’s picture as his screen saver on the office desktop computer, he maybe racing to meet targets for the company but he still fondly remembers the track in 2015 where he Theo Piniau and Kaminiel Matlaun first second and third respectively replicating the 1991 400m final where Subul Babo claimed gold, Takale Tuna claimed silver and Baobo Duaba claimed the Bronze.
Stone a staunch supporter of the PNG track athletics team knows they have the potential to give a strong challenge to the competition.
“Mowen Boino is still in the team, I think he is getting to 40 years of age and still active as a hurdler, he is an inspiration to the young athletes, and Toea Wisil we know she will come through for PNG.
“Not only are those two athletes, but the rest of the athletics team are sure to put on a good show for PNG,” Stone said.
