Champion dedicates gold to his nation

 Sixteen-year-old Tahitian and world champion paddler Revi Ton Sing is Pacific Games king in the marathon after bagging gold in the 30km V1 on Saturday.

Sing, who turns 17 in October, outclassed New Caledonia’s Titouan Puyo and Cook Islander Joseph Amo. 

“I’m very happy. I dedicate the win to Tahiti,” Sing said.

In the ascent, he managed his pace. Then, on the descent, he left his science surfing do the rest.

“When paddling facing the wind, it was tough, but I was ready for that,” Sing, who only took up the sport four years ago, said.

“After turning downwind, it helped me push back to the finish line. I had fun.”

Sing won four gold medals at the Speed World Championships in Brazil from August 12-17 last year.

He won gold in V1   and 500m V6, V6 on 1000/1500m, and V12   500m juniors. 

On Sept 2 last year Sing was honoured with the Knight of the Order of Tahiti Nui by the Senator-President of French Polynesia, Gaston Flosse.

In the women’s race, Cook Islands’ Serena Hunter took out the gold with Tahiti’s Vaimiti Maoni settling for silver.

Results: Men’s 15km: Thon Sing (Tahiti) 1:26.31.79, Puyo (New Caledonia) 1:28.29.68, Joseph Amo (Cook Islands) 1:35.31.39, Frederick Leota (Fiji) (1:39.17.42), Emile Ofataki Blonde (Wallis and Futuna) 1:40.24.83, Carl Joseph Aguon (Guam) 1:47.15.74,  Ketson Kaberiel (Northern Marianas) 1:48.42.35.

Women’s 10km: Cook Islands 1:05.28.06, Tahiti 1:05.51.23, New Caledonia 1:05.53.60, Fiji 1:13.04.64, Guam 1:14.40.16, Wallis and Futuna 1:15.14.21, PNG 1:21.28.18.