Pini wins again

By HENRY MORABANG

SWIMMER Ryan Pini smashed his eight-year-old record by four seconds to win his second gold medal in his best event — the 100m butterfly — at the BSP Arena (Taurama Aquatic and Leisure Centre) last night.

Pini brushed aside a strong challenge from compatriot Sam Segher, who settled for silver (55.49 seconds).

Pini finished in 53.42s — erasing his previous record of 53.46s which he set during the 2007 Pacific Games in Apia, Samoa.

Tahiti swimmer Hugo Lambert won bronze in a time of 56.42s.

Pini said he was happy with the win as it was his fifth consecutive win of the Pacific Games since he was 17. 

The PNG champion said to re-write his own record showed that he still had plenty to offer in the pool. 

Pini said he was happy with the result and would still be competing. 

“I am looking forward to my other event — the 100m freestyle — which will be a tough race against my opponents, especially against Tahiti and New Caledonia,” Pini said. 

“It really boils down to who rests well for tomorrow’s (today) event,” the 100m butterfly champion said. 

Pini’s new record is one of two milestones set last night on Day 2 of the swimming competition at the 2015 Games. 

On Day One, six Pacific Games records fell — a statistic which has set the swimming competition on a good pace.

Another Pacific Games record was set last night by New Caledonia’s Emma Terebo in the women’ 50m backstroke in a time of 29.18s, breaking the 12-year record set by her compatriot Diane Bui-Bui at the 2003 Pacific Games in Suva. 

Pini’s record-breaking swim was witnessed by Prime Minister Peter O’Neill and other dignitaries, including Chief Justice Sir Salamo Injia, Minister for Sports Justin Tkatchenko and a host of visiting officials and PNG Government officials.

Sir Salamo had the honour of presenting Pini the gold medal and gave him a high five to the applause of the patriotic PNG crowd.