Women’s 4x400m relay team bags first Gold Medal for PNG

Papua New Guinea bagged its first Gold Medal in the 2024 Oceania Athletics Championships on the tracks in Fiji on Tuesday evening after an exceptional start.

The women's 4 by 400m relay team of Joy Tieba, Denlyne Siliwen, Patricia Kuku and Raylene Kanam flamed the tracks in Suva with a time of 4:1.91 seconds, ahead of regional powerhouse Australia A, who clocked 4:12.9 seconds.

PNG's short distance runners also did tremendously well and did not disappoint the team after day 1 of competition with Timothy Tuna, Pais Wisil and Emmanuel Anis, all progressing from their respective heats to semifinals of the men's 100meter sprint.

Leonie Beu, Adrine Monagi and Isila Apkup also negotiated through the heats to advance in the women's 100m semifinals. The men’s and women’s finals will eventuate today with PNG’s hopes high on the six runners.

Daniel Baul and William Peka both qualified yesterday for the 400m hurdles final which is also set for today.

In the long-distance race, Scholastica Herman finished fourth in the women's 1500m finals with a time of 4:46.94 seconds along with Ray Heru (5:11 sec) and Monica Kalua (5:14.99) also competed in the 1500m event.

Regina Edwards became PNG’s first medalist with a silver medal performance in the women's para shot put ambulatory.

Ethan Manning finished seventh with a throw of 36.96m in the men's under-18 Hammer throw.
The Championships see Day 2 of competition today.