Pini, Pulsan win top awards

RYAN Pini and Linda Pulsan were recognised as the best-performing male and female athletes of last year, with the pair winning the SP Awards at the event in Port Moresby on Saturday.
The event’s special guest speaker was Australian women’s star basketballer Lauren Jackson.
There was no surprise both athletes received the main awards of the night given their outstanding performances during last year’s Pacific Games in Port Moresby.
With Pini’s seven gold medals haul and Pacific Games flag-bearer Pulsan’s gold medal in powerlifting — her fourth in as many Games — the pair could not be denied despite competing with noteworthy nominees.
Speaking to the media after receiving his fifth award, Pini said: “I feel very honoured to receive this award, with so many good quality athletes who have come out, especially from last year.
“Being at home for the Pacific Games really spurred me on to outdo my previous performances at the Games.”
With the Rio Olympic Games set to be Pini’s final outing for the country, the champion swimmer stressed his desire to contribute to the development of the sport in PNG.
“Once I’m done with my swimming career after the Olympics, I’ll be back home and hopefully develop the next generation of swimmers in the country,” Pini said.
“I had the privilege this morning to talking to some of the new swimmers; they wanted to know how they could improve their strokes and I gave them a few pointers.
“It’s meaningful for me to give back to the sport,” the 34-year-old said.
Women’s winner Linda Pulsan told the media: “I’m really happy to receive this award. I would like to thank my supporters, family, the media and sponsors for helping me throughout my sporting career.”
Although Pulsan was unable to attend the World Powerlifting Championships in the United States this month due to a lack of sponsorship, she was still hopeful of attending other events this year.
“I have another competition in August, the Pacific Invitational in Perth, Australia,” she said.
“This competition will be attended by some of the world’s top lifters and record-holders.
“The Asia-Oceania Classic Powerlifting and Bench Press Championships in Christchurch, New Zealand are coming up also.
“If I can find a sponsor, I would like to attend these events to defend my titles,” Pulsan said.
SP Sports Awards winners: Male Athlete of the Year – Ryan Pini (swimming); Female Athlete of the Year – Linda Pulsan (powerlifting); Team of the Year – Women’s Va’a V12 team; National Performance of the Year – Lae City Dwellers (football); Community Sports Initiative – New Ireland Triathlon Association; Junior Male Athlete of the Year – Thaddeus Katua (boxing); Junior Female Athlete of the Year – Violet Apisah (tennis); Best Sportsperson With A Disability – Sent Anis; Sports Official of the Year –Jonathan Kassman (Va’a); Sports Media of the Year – NBC (2015 Pacific Games Radio Coverage); People’s choice award – Epari South’s of Pangia (basketball). Sports Photo of the Year – “For you, PNG” by Mark Talia