Dual bronze medallist defies hearing, speech impairments

PAPUA New Guinea’s James Gundu proved that hearing and speech impairments were no barrier to success at the Samoa Pacific Games as he claimed two bronze medals in long distance running in the ablebodied competition as part of his country’s hugely successful athletics team.
The 26-year-old won bronze in the men’s 10,000m and 5,000m, despite only being able to communicate with his coach and teammates via sign language.
“I’m really happy because it’s my first Pacific Games, and it’s amazing to win two bronze medals,” an overjoyed Gundu said, with teammate Messach Fred interpreting through sign language.
“The 5000m is a hard race and there’s a lot of competition. During the race, I ended up at the back because all the big runners overtook me, but I just waited at the back and I didn’t panic, I controlled my race, I kept fighting and I came strong at the end and I’m happy. I’d like to thank my coach and staff.”
Fred, who bronze in the men’s 800m and silver in the 1500m, said Gundu’s deafness did not pose any problems when competing.
“He can’t hear the starting gun, but he watches everyone and he knows when they move, that’s when the race is starting so he starts running,” Fred said.
“He can see the numbers and he’s counting the laps, so he knows which lap he’s on and when our coach gestures to him ‘final lap’, he speeds up and goes for it. His speech and hearing problems don’t matter.”
Fred also revealed that Gundu taught him sign language when the pair, who had never met before, joined the Team PNG athletics camp at the National Sports Institute, and the two have been close friends ever since.
PNG’s middle and long distance running coach Francis Manau agreed that Gundu’s hearing and speech impairments didn’t disrupt his training and running abilities.
Manau also revealed he had an inkling Gundu was likely to win medals. – gamesnewsservice