PNG sweep event

TEAM Papua New Guinea’s Simbai Kasper, Sapolai Yao and Andipas Georasi claimed gold, silver and bronze respectively in the men’s 3,000m steeplechase at the Pacific Games in Samoa yesterday.
They were the first athletes to collect medals in the track events at the 16th edition of the Games.
Kasper clocked a winning time of nine minutes and 37seconds. Defending champion Yao clocked 10 minutes and 14 seconds, and Georasi finished in 10 minutes and 16 seconds.
The trio walked away with a clean sweep of medals to signal the start of PNG’s track and field campaign.
PNG took out their second gold yesterday in the women’s 5000m with Poro Michlyn Gahekave finishing first in 18 minutes and 27.46 seconds.
Her compatriot Mary Tenge grabbed silver in 19 minutes and 14.50 seconds.
Dianah Matekali, of the Solomon Islands, claimed bronze in 19 minutes and 31.38 seconds to deny another PNG clean sweep, with defending champion Monica Kalua finishing fourth.
In the men’s javelin throw, Lakona Gerega won bronze for PNG with a distance of 52.72m behind Samoa’s Laurence Faapoi Tasi’s mark of 53.53m.
Felise Vahai Sosaia, of Wallis and Futuna, took home gold after throwing a winning distance of 62.41m.
Team PNG’s Theo Piniau finished first in heat four of the men’s 100m with a time of 11.12 seconds.
Ephraim Lerkin, Messach Fred and Kaminiel Matlaun have qualified in the men’s 800m heats and will compete in the final.
– gamesnewsservice