Toua happy with effort

 WHAT does a Commonwealth Games medallist feel like after the competition?

For many Papua New Guineans, Dika Toua’s win is something special – something that is PNG-made, something to be proud of.

When asked about her feelings yesterday, two days after winning the silver medal, Toua said she was unhappy at first.

“At first I was disappointed, as everyone at the Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre (SECC) who observed me might have thought,” Toua said.

“I was crying after the competition because I had aimed for the gold medal. 

“I was crying because of all the effort and sacrifice I made to come here, as well as the determination I had, did not bring me the top medal.” However, she said she had to accept the results because she had given her best.

When recalling the competition itself, she said: “This competition has pushed me and I have to accept the silver medal. I did my best, fought a good fight in this very tough competition.”

The medal won last Friday makes it two silver medals for Toua, who won her first silver at the 2006 Melbourne Games. She missed the 2010 Delhi Games because she was pregnant. She said she was with her new-born baby when the Delhi Games started. Toua acknowledged a list of people and organisations who have enabled her to be where she is.

“I am grateful for the achievement now. I want to thank everyone who have supported me all the way. That includes the PNG Olympic Committee, Trukai Industries, the PNG Government, my family whom I have not seen in two years, friends, Noumea-based coach Paul Coffa, training partners at the institute and others who have supported me in any way over the years,” she said.

“To all those people I say thank you very much.” Toua is now looking forward to the 2015 Pacific Games to be staged in Port Moresby.

Toua will pocket K50,000 as part of the national government’s incentive  to reward medallists.