Wisil sets new 60m short track record

Sprint sensation Pais Wisil has continued his stunning form setting a new national record for the 60m short track with a storming time of 6.76 seconds.

The younger sibling of Pacific sprint queen Toea Wisil, erased the previous record of 6.79sec set by legendary athlete Peter Pulu in the 1993 World Indoor Championships in Barcelona.

Wisil’s record-breaking run in short sprint has now surpassed Pulu’s preeminent 60m hit after three decades, with Athletics PNG president Tony Green declaring the rising star could offer more on the tracks.

"Coach Tony Fairweather believes Wisil can improve even more in the 60m," Green said, noting that Wisil stumbled slightly on his third stride prior to establishing his new record.

Wisil’s rapid rise towards the end of the 2024 roster saw him register an impressive 10.49sec in the 100m race at last month’s National Championships.

The 60m prodigy is amongst Oceania’s aspiring talents aiming to qualify for the World Indoor Championships in Nanjing, China, from March 21 to 23.

Oceania Athletics is certain the recent changes to technical regulations now allow Indoor races to be staged on Short Track, creating new opportunities for events once limited to indoor facilities.

Wisil will need to attend compete in two more short track events to boost his qualifying chances for the Indoor Championships.