Athletics

Osei-Nketia says no to rugby and will stay on the track

Osei-Nketia, 20, entertained switching sports after failing to better the New Zealand 100m record held by his dad, Gus Nketia, and secure selection for the Tokyo Olympics.

But his coach Gary Henley-Smith says Osei-Nketia will be on the track, not the rugby field this summer.

"Eddie is determined to run even faster this year," Henley-Smith said.

"I think he's pretty motivated to try and get his dad's record and also try and qualify for the world champs as well as the Commonwealth Games."

Pacific Games to crown fastest man

New Caledonia continue to lead the medals table from host nation Samoa, while a strong showing on the track lifted Papua New Guinea into fifth overall.

Papua New Guinea won six medals on the first day of athletics, including gold in the men's 3000m steeplechase and the women's 5000m.

That was enough to lift the reigning Pacific Games champions above Australia into fifth place overall with 13 gold, 22 silver and 13 bronze medals.

New Caledonia's shooters were on target in the team 25m short pistol to bring their total haul to 43 gold and 94 medals in all.

PNG’s sprint queen Toea Wisil

It was not always smooth-sailing for the Jiwaka woman.

Two years ago, the sprint queen was outclassed in the 200m by Cook Islands Patricia Taea at the Pacific Mini Games in Vanuatu.

Then she had to sit out the Commonwealth Games last year. But she’s on the comeback trail and is determined to maintain her title at the Pacific Games. 

CLICK ON THIS LINK TO LISTEN TO TOEA WISIL'S EPISODE:

Athletics headline Week 2 at the Pacific Games

Medals will be dished out today in the men's javelin, women's shot put and the men's 3000m steeplechase, while the heats for one of the glamour events, the men's 100m, will also unfold at Apia Park.

Netball, touch rugby and shooting will also make their first appearance of the Games today.

Competition largely took a break on Sunday, as is tradition, although Pacific Games Council chief executive Andrew Minogue said they did have to make one exception.

Athletics draws crowd on first day of competition

In the Men’s 400m Hurdles, PNG had a good result winning both the gold and the silver with Boino Mowen finishing in a time of 52.44 secs followed by Lerkin Ephraim in53.00 seconds.

Tongan Talatala Pooi secured the bronze with a time of 54.69 seconds.

“It’s not common for a Tongan to achieve a medal in Athletics. I tried my best and I hope my people are happy with what I’ve achieved” said Pooi.

Rio 2016: Quotes of the Games

Following two weeks of thrilling sports action, we take a look at some of the more memorable quotes from Rio 2016.

 

Words to inspire

Rio 2016: The moments that made the Games

While Rio 2016 endured more than its fair share of problems, the Games produced some iconic moments of sporting greatness that will live long in the memory.

From Neymar's penalty that lifted a nation, to Usain Bolt's 'treble treble' and Michael Phelps' 23rd gold, here we bring you 10 standout highlights.

 

Rio 2016: Bolt storms to 200m gold

The majestic Usain Bolt once again broke new ground at Rio 2016 by storming to a third successive Olympic 200 metre title and the eighth gold medal of his illustrious career.

Bolt made history last weekend when he became the first man to win the 100m on three occasions, a time of 9.81 seconds enough to get the better of nearest rivals Justin Gatlin and Andre De Grasse.

Rio 2016: Gatlin is slowing down - Bolt

Usain Bolt was unsurprised to see Justin Gatlin fail to make the final of the 200 metres at Rio 2016, claiming the American is "slowing down".

Reigning champion and world record holder Bolt booked his place in the final by winning his heat in a season's best 19.78 seconds, though Andre De Grasse ran him close to the line.

Thompson holds off Schippers to claim sprint double

Elaine Thompson claimed a remarkable sprint double at Rio 2016 as she held off world champion Dafne Schippers to take gold in the 200 metres.

Schippers came into the race as the overwhelming favourite having beaten Thompson to World Championship gold last year and in the semi-finals on Tuesday.