Kilarupa’s beach volleyball partner Mea says he will miss him

THEY forged a formidable partnership three years ago and together made history to win Papua New Guinea’s first gold medal in beach volleyball in front of a patriotic home crowd in 2015.
But alas, everything has an end and Richard Kilarupa has finally retired from the sport to call it a day. Playing partner Moha Mea says Kilarupa’s playing style and skill will be missed.
“Our partnership is more like a family relationship on and off the court,” Mea said.
“The reason being we lived together and became sort of family.
“Our partnership is one of a kind. “We don’t usually talk but we know what we are capable of doing on the court.
“He was always quiet and sometimes I get mad why he can’t talk but we all have our habits and ways to express ourselves.
“As a team mate, he is the best.
“We don’t talk but we have this connection and instinct to read each other’s game.
“As a person, he is a good fisherman who gives me fish when I visit him in Hula.
“All in all, his playing style and skills will be missed.”
Mea is now looking to build a partnership with young Rolley Forova who was ranked third in a training camp held in Gold Coast last year, to step up and take the role Richard has left.
Papua New Guinea will partake in a few beach volleyball events in Asia and Australia in preparation for the 2019 Pacific Games in Samoa.