Javelin thrower Toako making good progress

JAVELIN thrower Sharon Toako, pictured, is making great strides in her event since moving to New Mexico Highlands University in Las Vegas a year ago.
Toako, who won the silver medal at the Pacific Mini Games in Vanuatu with a personal best throw of 44.42 metres, improved this to 44.72m in her first competition of the year at Colorado State University, Peublo, on March 17.
She then improved by a significant 2.17m last Saturday at Portales, New Mexico, and now has Iammo Launa’s 17–year-old national record of 48.10m in her sights.
“Iammo consistently threw over 50m in her heyday,” APNG president Tony Green said.
“But in 1999 the specification of the javelin was changed and her best with the new implement was 48.10.
“Sharon’s coach Howard Dunbar is very excited about the way things are going for Sharon at the moment, added Green.
“She is throwing well and he believes there is more improvement in her. With New Caledonia’s Linda Selui in the twilight of her long and distinguished career, the opportunity is there for Sharon to go one better than the silver she won in Port Vila.”
The Pomio, East New Britain native has dabbled in the other throws and has a respectable personal best of 33.94m in the discus but the javelin is clearly her best event and will be her main focus for next year’s Pacific Games.