Richard sets sights on Apia games

By ISAAC LIRI
PENIEL Richard is arguably Papua New Guinea’s best chance in the long, triple and high jump at the Pacific Games in Apia, Samoa, in July.
The 24-year-old is the national record holder in the long (7.23m) and triple (15.45m) jump, which he set at the Mini Pacific Games in Vanuatu in 2017.
His personal best in the high jump is 2.5m, which he set in Cairns, Australia, three years ago.
In an interview with The National, Richard said his goal was to qualify for the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo, Japan.
But before he gets there, Richard — from East New Britain and Eastern Highlands — has to impress at the Pacific Games.
“My goal is to qualify for the Olympics,” Richard said.
“I think my form in the long and triple jump is good. In the high jump, it would definitely be a big challenge against the Fijians, who have some really good high jumpers. But I am willing to work on it.”
Richard has been training at the National Sports Institute in Goroka over the past months.
“I find the high-altitude training very helpful,” he said.
“I lived in Texas (in the United States) before and we had hot days and cold nights but the high altitude back home in Goroka has been very helpful, especially with my conditioning.”
Richard competed at a selection trial in Kimbe last month and used it to reflect on his preparations.
“I think I’m not in a better position to compete yet,” Richard said.
“The lead-up trial for me was just about dusting off the cobwebs.
“I am just concentrating on the events which are the jumps.
“So the trial gave me a good account of myself in terms of where I am and what I need to do.”
He will head to Brisbane, Australia, do further preparations ahead of the games.
Richard said he was aiming to win gold for the country in the long and triple jump.