It was a big day for everyone down at the Pohnpei athletics track today, but for one athlete in particular, the day was unforgettable.
Palau’s Christine Wicker is a long distance runner and Micronesian Games rookie.
Not only did she take home gold in her 1,500 metre run, striding across the finish line with a comfortable victory, but she blitzed her 5,000 metre race in a Micronesian Games record.
From the sound of the gun, Wicker held onto a solid lead until the end. Keeping up the strong pace, she was able to finish over 30 seconds faster than the record previously set by Noriko Jim-Nasuhara in the 2006 Saipan Games. The record stood at 19:24.18. Wicker won with a time of 18:51.57.
Her excitement was visible as she mounted the podium to receive both her medals.
She spoke of her excitement after her medal ceremony. To win two gold medals and break a record in her first ever Games is remarkable.
She has been doing “a lot of mileage” in training for these Games.
Though her preparations began just a month ago, Wicker says “I have been running for about six years.”
Congratulations to Wicker on her amazing efforts out in the humid Pohnpei conditions. Remember her name, we will see her in the future.
By Molly D'Arcy
United Youth Media
Last Modified on 22/07/2014 20:30