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Three gold for PNG amputee
By HENRY MORABANG
AMPUTEE Francis Kompaon was satisfied with his three gold medal haul in the
inaugural Regional Disable Games in Lautoka, Fiji recently.
The East New Britain man was very pleased to win gold medal in 100m, 200m
and long jump as he prepares for the 2008 Paralympic Games in Beijing which
coincides with the Olympic Games.
Kompaon is the only disable athlete who have qualified for Beijing Games
after he won his sprint events during the Arafura Games in Darwin in May
early this year. The Arafura Games was also the Oceania Disabled Games
championships and the pre-Paralympic qualifier competition.
Team coach Sophie Kuasi-Tuna confirmed that Kompaon had qualified but that
doesn’t mean he needs to stop. In fact, Kompaon needs more overseas or local
competition to maintain his form leading towards the Beijing Games next
year.
Mrs Tuna was also impressed and pleased with the performance of Kompaon who
contributed three of the six gold and three silver medals won by PNG team.
The other three gold medals came from 18-year old Joyleen Jeffrey who won
gold medal in 200m (visible impaired) division, 4x100m race and in discuss
which was collected by Alisti John.
The silver medals were won by Alisti John in the 400m race, standing
volleyball and the Jeffrey’s 100m race.
Ms Tuna said overall PNG put up good competition against Fiji and Samoa.
Fiji who is renowned for having good disable sports program, have teams from
all 14 provinces around the country.
Team coach also thanked major sponsor, Digicel for making it possible for
the team to travel and she conveyed her sincere gratitutde to Namoli Village
chief Ratu Jone Bovalu for the hospitality.
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