Thrilling finish for Matluan

 THE gold rush continued for the hosts in a gripping photo-finish to the 800m men’s final last night, with local hero Kaminiel Matluan clinching gold two-hundredths of a second from New Caledonia’s Adrien Kela at the Sir John Guise Stadium.

The roaring patriotic crowd were left buzzing for two minutes as the technical officials had to repeatedly go over the tape before being able to confirm a gold medal winner.

Matluan timed 1:53.85, Kela’s 1:53.87 earning him silver. Papua New Guinea’s Martin Orovo took bronze in 1:57.24.

Matluan had led the race from the start but was pushed to the limit in the final 100m as Kela pushed home.

The packed Sir John Guise Stadium rattled to the roar as the result was flashed on the LED-screen.

“I’m really happy for this win. I have worked hard for it,” Matluan said. “I withdrew from studies to train for this day.

“I spent 6-months in Goroka (National Sporting Institute) just getting prepared for this Games.

“My aim was to bag the gold and I did that tonight,” Matluan, who was supposed to do grade 12 this year, said. 

“I didn’t leave my studies for nothing, it paid off with this gold medal performance.”

In the women’s 800m finals, PNG’s Donna Koniel and Jenny Albert made sure Port Moresby residents went home delirious after claiming gold and silver respectively with times of 2:12.78 and 2:15.79.

New Caledonia’s Solenne Kerleguer finished third in 2:20.69.

Koniel, the shy lass of East New Britain and East Sepik parentage, said the win had fulfilled her childhood dream.

“It was a big win for me. I am excited, it was my dream to bag gold on home soil,” Koniel said. 

“I dedicate my win to my family, especially my mum and dad.”