Hou wins gold for Gulf in men’s 400m hurdles

REPRESENTING his home province Gulf for the first time in the PNG Games in Kimbe, 19-year-old Ratu Hou won gold in the men’s 400m hurdles.
The young man from Iokea village said it was an honour to win gold for Gulf because in the previous PNG Games in 2014 he represented Eastern Highlands due to his residency in Goroka.
“I’ve been involved in athletics for a very long time since I was a small boy like five or six years old,” Hou said.
“It’s my first time to represent Gulf in a competition like this, and I thank God, he gave me the talent.
“I’ve always represented Eastern Highlands in the national championships but now seems to be the right time to represent my home province and give back something for the people of Gulf to cheer about.”
Hou has never represented PNG yet but hopes that one day he will be able to carry the red black and gold in the Pacific Games or other international events.
“I think I am still young and my legs are still kicking so I think I just need to train hard all the time and hopefully I get to be selected in the upcoming Pacific Games and other international games too,” he said.
“I think my family is really proud of me representing Gulf because they have seen me struggle to come this far and I think they deserve to be proud of my achievement.”
Hou secured the only gold medal for Gulf in athletics finishing with 56.26 in the men’s 400m hurdles and behind him were Daniel Baul (NCD) 58.62 and Rydell Dirihan (Morobe) 58.69.