Athletics set for grand finish

A BIG day is in store today at St Peter Chanel College, Ulapia, with the last full day of athletics during which 16 gold medals will be decided.
Competition is scheduled to get under way at 9.45am with the 100m hurdles final in which Morobe’s Helen Philemon is the favourite for the gold.
Teammate Reginald Monagi is the  clear favourite for the men’s 110m hurdles going into the finals but a strong showing by East New Britain’s Rex Kuam in the semi-final has put him right into contention.
Eunice Steven is expected to take the heptathlon gold with two of the three other competitors registering a no-height in the high jump.
Donna Koniel (ENB) is in a class of her own in the 400m but the men’s race will be very close with John Rivan and Paul Pokana the two favourites.
However, a fast improving Theo Piniau could cause an upset, and  Herman Tobeno   from New Ireland showed in the first round that he can also run the 400m in 50 seconds.
Chimbu’s Jenny Albert will renew her rivalry with Tuna Tine in the women’s 1,500m.
The in-form Tine will start favourite after producing the top performance of the day yesterday by winning the 800m in 2:18.
“That’s an exceptional time on a grass track especially considering the hot sun and the windy conditions,” Athletics PNG president Tony Green said.
Kupun Wisil (Morobe), the brother of London Olympian Toea Wisil, will start as favourite in the men’s 100m with Theo Piniau of ENB aiming to get among the medallists.
Venessa Waro looks capable of winning the women’s sprint double, but Philemon is also running strongly in the 200m and a resurgent Shirley Vunatup of ENB is also a threat.
Joan Asanga (Morobe) will be hoping to add the javelin gold to her discus gold while ENB’s  Simon Benari and Nickson Fred will feature strongly in the men’s javelin.  
David Jessem (Morobe) is expected to have a good battle with Norman Tse (ENB) in the men’s high jump. 
Meanwhile, the small Engan contingent were celebrating on Tuesday after winning  their first athletics gold medal, when policeman Ben Levi won the men’s triple jump.
Chimbu also had a good day at Chanel college yesterday as Skene Kiage won both the 3,000m steeplechase and the 3,000m flat, and teammate Marianna Peter won the women’s steeple.
The octathlon was, as expected, won by Monagi from Morobe. The 800m is an event well known for upsets, as tactics can backfire on the most experienced athletes.
Predictions of a tussle between NCD and hosts ENB for the gold proved off the mark as unknown Bulolo runner  Jerry Herman   hit the front with 300m to go and refused to let anyone get past him.