By Marrian Rema and Ingrid Cosnier, Port Moresby 2015 Games News Service
PORT MORESBY, July 17 – Papua New Guinea and Tahiti were the big winners in the final session of field events at BSP Stadium on Friday.
PNG enjoyed a clean sweep of the podium in the women’s long jump. Rellie Kaputin (PNG) leapt 5.97 metres to win gold, Adrine Monagi (PNG) claimed silver with a jump of 5.76m, and Helen Philemon (PNG) collected bronze, jumping 5.64m.
“I broke my own national record of 5.59m and I’m happy,” Kaputin said. “I know my coach, Philip Newton (GBR) is really happy with my results. I have won three medals and this is my first Pacific Games gold,” she said.
Kaputin confirmed she now plans to train for the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games.
In the men’s long jump Raihau Maiau (TAH) landed gold with a jump of 8.14m, forcing former Pacific Games record holder Frederic Erin (NCL) to settle for silver.
Raihau performed well in all six of his jumps and enjoyed much encouragement from the crowd, who clapped him for each of his run-ups.
“There is a very good atmosphere in the (long jump) group and Frederic (Erin) and I see each other a lot,” Raihau told the Games News Service. “It’s so good to see us jump together with this crazy atmosphere and this great crowd.”
Raihau, who has been training in France, said he hoped his jump of 8.14m would be ratified as a qualifying result to participate in the World Championships.
In the men’s shot put, Tahitian strongman Tumatai Dauphin (TAH) scooped gold with a throw of 19.14m, setting a Pacific Games record in the process. Alexander Rose (SAM) won silver while Mustafa Fall (FIJ) collected bronze.
“I am a very happy man today to have won gold for Taihiti,” Tumatai said.
In the women’s para shot put Rose Welepa (NCL) claimed gold with a throw of 11.07m, while PNG claimed silver and bronze courtesy of Regina Edward (PNG) and Vero Paul Nime (PNG) respectively.
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