Simbai Kaspar led home a 1-2-3 finish for PNG in the men's 3000m steeplechase. Photo: Pacific Games Service Trina Edwards
Papua New Guinea starred on the first night of athletics at the Pacific Games, winning six medals, including a clean sweep of the podium in the men's 3000m steeplechase.
Kaspar Simbai claimed the gold, finishing more than 37 seconds ahead of defending champion Sapolai Yao, while compatriot Andipas Georasi claimed the bronze.
Heavy rain made it difficult out on the track. Photo: Pacific Games Service Trina Edwards
With the rain falling at Apia Park, Simbai said it was not easy for the runners out in the middle.
"I'm so proud of getting the gold medal. It was raining and I was struggling to run and I'm so proud that I got the gold medal for team PNG."
Team PNG also managed a 1-2 finish in the women's 5000m, with Poro Michlyn Gahekave finishing a whopping 47 seconds clear of Mary Tenge to claim the gold medal, while Lakona Gerega won bronze in the men's javelin.
Felise Vahai Sosaia kept up Wallis and Futuna's proud record in javelin. Photo: Pacific Games Service Roland Setu
Wallis and Futuna maintain jaw-dropping javelin streak
Wallis and Futuna have now medalled in javelin after Felise Vahai Sosaia won gold in the men's event in Apia.
The 20 year-old threw a personal best of 62.41m to win the French Territory's second gold medal of the 2019 Games.
He finished over nine metres clear of the other medallists from Samoa and PNG and his coach, Likuvalu Vakatai, said the victory was a happy surprise.
"Because he's very young. This gold medal is very lucky in this event today."
Tonga's Ata Tuutafaiva won gold in the women's shot. Photo: Vinnie Wylie/RNZ Pacific
Meanwhile Tonga's Ata Tuutafaiva won gold in the women's shot put to improve upon her third place finish from four years ago.
The 20 year-old, who also won gold at the 2017 Mini Games, threw a new personal best of 16.61m, to finish almost three and a metres clear of her nearest rival.
"I'm so happy right now but this is my first time to be the gold medal winner at the Pacific Games. First thank you to God, if God didn't give me the power...I'm training hard in Tonga to come to be the gold medal (winner) here," she said.
Her coach, Tevita Fauonuku, said there's still plenty more to come from Tonga's throwing star.
"We nearly got 17 metres tonight - that's our target for tonight but earlier on was heavy rain so nearly three throws didn't count because of it. But lucky she managed to win the gold medal and do a PB of 16.61 so our target at the world champs in Tokyo is to make the final of the women's shot-put," he said.
Speed Racers
Samoan sprinter Kelvin Masoe topped the charts in the men's 100m heats, drawing a huge roar from the home crowd as he clocked 10.70 seconds to beat Fiji's Tony Lemeki, who was the next fastest in 10.82 seconds.
Two time defending Pacific Games champions Banuve Tabakaucoro won his heat in 10.87 seconds, while New Zealand's James Guthrie-Croft also won his heat to advance to last 16.
James Guthrie-Croft became the first New Zealander to compete in track and field at the Pacific Games. Photo: Vinnie Wylie/RNZ Pacific
The 19 year-old became the first New Zealander to compete in athletics at the Pacific Games and said he's thrilled to be back on the track after
"That's pretty cool to be the first New Zealander and yeah my race went pretty well - I won- but it's just good to be back from injury...I pulled my hamstring at nationals a few months ago so just kind of coming back now."
The fastest man in the Pacific will be decided later today when the athletics programme resumes at Apia Park.
