Second home-coming for Tahitian bodybuilder

 TAHITI’s silver medallist in the under-90kg bodybuilding division Stanley Serge Bruneau said coming to PNG for the Pacific Games was not like visiting a foreign country but a second home.

Bruneau has a special connection with one of the country’s prominent leaders, Bulolo MP and the deputy Opposition leader Sam Basil.

Bruneau is Basil’s wife’s cousin and it is his first time to come to PNG but had been visited by the Basils on several occasions. 

“My family and I are here today to support Bruneau in appreciation for what his family did to me when I was an athlete representing the country at the Pacific Games in Tahiti in 1995,” Basil said.

“I have a special connection with Tahiti because that was where I met my lovely wife Nahina. 

“When I was there in Tahiti,  Nahina and Bruneau’s family were there to support me competing in taekwondo.

“So to show my appreciation for what they did for me, I am taking this time out to support Bruneau competing,” he said.

Bruneau said when he left Tahiti, he knew he was going to another country that he had a connection with. 

“I am happy for the Basils coming to support me.

“When I saw them in the stands, it gave me confidence that I had some relatives supporting me from the sideline,” said Bruneau.

Meanwhile, Basil said before the Games, the Opposition made a lot of comments on the preparation of the facilities and the venues which he said was only for one reason.

“We made those comments to prompt the Government and keep it on its toes towards the preparation and the organising of the Games.

“At the end of the day, the country has proven its capacity to deliver the Games and of that we (the Opposition) are proud. We have facilities that can cater for international events,” Basil said.