Chimbu display athletics power

By HENRY MORABANG

CHIMBU continued to dominate the middle and the long distance races in the PNG Games as James Kuadua won the half marathon yesterday.
Kuadua, who was partially impaired was among 43 runners, both males and female,s who took part in the 21km race from Buluma village to the Muthuvel Stadium.
The 19-year-old Kundiawa-Gembogl runner was among the pack from the start and he shifted into top gear to grab the number one spot from Thadius Rain from AROB.
Rain led all the way from Buluma to Poinini but Kuadua took over and raced to the finishing line.
Speaking through an interpreter, Kuadua said he thanked God for the first win.
“This is my first win and I want to thank God and my coach for this achievement,” he said.
He also thanked his coaching staff who helped him prepare for the PNG Games.
Kuadua said he first took part in the race in 2014 in the Lae Games and did not win any medals.
He said he was proud to win a medal for his province.
Rain said he had problems midway through the run and did not finish well.
“I commend Kuadua for the win and hope we can meet again for another challenge in the years to come or in 2019 PNG Games in Mendi,” he said.
Another Chimbu, Siune Kagl came third to claim bronze.
In the women’s race, 15-year-old Helen Essy from Chimbu came first.
She said she was excited about the win because she came sixth in the last PNG Games and was glad she improved to picked up gold medal this year.