MULTITUDES OF ATHLETES !
As normal in Kiribati, by one hour after scheduled start time there were athletes ! There seemed to be an influx from KGV, the main Government school, and several from St. Louis, the main Catholic school. Great ! I thought - good competition here ! But no !
GOOD 200m.
As no-one of those present was inclined to run 3000m. (or even walk it !), a M200m. race was run - on the back straight because of the better surface (although it too is being sabotaged by selfish truck drivers !) A close fast race resulted in Tanro (back from AYOF) just beating Rabangaki (one of the stars in Samoa), Tanro clocking 24.2 to Rabangaki's 24.3.
FIRST-EVER 110m. HURDLES HERE !
The staging of this necessitated going back to the back lines of the third 4 x 100m. Relay take-over boxes ! Beteru (holder of 110H NR) raced Tim (our WJC 100m. rep. in Beijing last year). Tim had little technique, being new to the event, but cleared each obstacle. Beteru tried to keep his rhythm and lower technique but hit eight of the hurdles and fell ! The challenge was only set at Junior height ! So Tim broke 20 secs. (19.5) but Beteru (20.1) did not ! Both need to consolidate their actions PLUS we need to actually MEASURE the intervals (rather than pacing them !)
...and on the Field.
Nothing startling to celebrate this time ! Ioritana (6.50m. LJ last year) managed 12.45m. in the MTJ. The Youth MDiscus throwers only threw just over 30m. (1.5K. implement), but Itinikati (32.54) has found some form earlier than Moutu (30.52). Two other throwers took part, but the stars stayed away (or on the Tennis court !)
DISAPPOINTING !
The main disappointment was to see the number of good athletes who, while willing to help as officials, were still "in hibernation" from the activity point-of-view ! We will see how many come back for TRAINING next Saturday !
Last Modified on 24/02/2007 21:20