Pini set to defend title in New Delhi

PNG’s swimming icon and 2006 Commonwealth Games gold medalist, Ryan Pini, is primed to defend his gold medal in October in New Delhi, India.
Pini, who is currently on a break in Canada with his family, is expected to start training at Yeronga Park in Brisbane to fine-tune his preparations in an attempt to put up another historic performance in the red, black and gold.
PNG Swimming Inc president, Elizabeth Wells, told The National that while Pini was away on holidays, and out of the pool,  he was still focused on the Delhi Games.
“Pini’s awesome performance in the last Commonwealth Games in Melbourne took the country by storm, most importantly unifying PNG from the streets of capital city Port Moresby to the remote villages of the country.”
According to Wells, the PNGSI will be hoping Pini can replicate his performance in India later this year.
PNG’s female swimming prospect, Anna-lisa Jane Mopio, is reported to be undergoing intensive training at Yeronga Park. She will also be part of the swimming contingent for the big splash in New Delhi.
A long course swimming championship is planned for the national swimmers to be held in Port Moresby’s Sir Donald Cleland pool. Both Pini and Mopio are slated to take part in the competition.
Meanwhile, Boroko Swimming Inc started its  training programmes last Monday, at the Sir Donald Cleland pool.
A total of 80 aspiring swimmers are training under the coaches, Wells, Joe Meauri, Villuwa Puana and Sue Babao.
The juniors are using the 25m Ela Murray swimming pool while the elite and intermediate division swimmers are using the swimming facilities at Sir Donald Cleland pool.