Training squad take first comp

ATHLETICS Papua New Guinea’s (APNG) Kerowagi-based distance training squad for the World Cross Country Championships and Pacific Mini Games next year had their first competition at the National Sports Institute in Goroka, Eastern Highlands, last weekend.
The athletes were looking forward to their first trip out of town after three months of training.
George Yamak was in very good form.
With Siune Kagl and Israel Takap returning to school in East New Britain, Yamak had too much pace in the 1,500m for the rest of the field and was a runaway winner in four minutes, 15.3 seconds.
But there was a great battle for second between Abel Siune, Wilford Baia and Aquila Turalom, with the West New Britain athlete prevailing.
Yamak also won the 3,000m in nine minutes, 32.6s, though this was a closer race with Wilford Baia finishing right behind Yamak in nine minutes, 33.4s and 10,000m specialist Dilu Goiye in third.
In the women’s events, the standout performer was Cecilia Kuman who won the 1,500m in five minutes, 36.8s and set a good pace on the heavy track in the 3,000m before fading in the last kilometre, leaving Anna Toby to battle Mary Kua.
Kuman was the SP junior female athlete of the year in 2013 following her resounding success at the 2012 PNG Games in which she totally dominated the distance events.
She dropped out of the sport in 2015 after not making the team for the Pacific Games.
But Kuman is a native of Kerowagi and jumped at the opportunity to get back into running again when the programme was established.
Athletics officials were also pleased to see 2015 Games representative Kua showing improved form, finishing second in the 1,500m and 3,000m.
The next competition scheduled for the athletes is the APNG Grand Prix Series in Port Moresby during the first term school holiday.