The National Sports Institute exercised a 2017 MOU arrangement with Athletics PNG with an internal lecturers course. Athletics PNG Development Officer Dior Lowry will be delivering an Athletics Level I, Level II and Athletics Administration course over a 6-day period. Some of the topics include roles & obligations, constitution and organization, membership and office, IPA requirements, Sports Law, Biomechanics and Assessment. Upon completion of the course, graduates will be qualified to train trainers and coordinators in other centers to expand knowledge of fundamental, development and development of elite athletes. The course is also available in an online format which will allow staff to revisit educated topics and engage in later group discussions. This administrative exercise is beneficial as provinces prepare on the even on PNG Games preparations.
Athletics Coaching Course
Athletics PNG Development Officer Dior Lowry is in Wewak this week conducting a basic coaching course for 30+ participants, most of whom are teachers. A total of 19 different primary and secondary schools in the province nominated at least one of their staff to attend. The course will cover a range topics and will include both practical and classroom sessions. Topics include sports administration, training principles and cycles of training; as well as sprints, distance, jumps and throws training. The course was made possible through support under the Olympic Solidarity DNSS programme and the ESP Provincial Administration. Athletics PNG President Tony Green commended the efforts of the local association headed by Malcolm Limbai and Otto Wafia for their efforts in organising the programme and securing local support by way of accommodation and transport.
USA Update
A number of US based athletes are showing excellent form in the USA as the outdoor season begins. Leading the way is Sharon Toako who broke her own national record in the Javelin in the first meet of the season at Pueblo Colorado with a throw of 49.08 metres, a performance that earned her the Athlete of the Week award for the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference. RMAC is a group of 16 Universities mostly from Colorado that compete against each other in a variety of sports. Toako showed consistency by throwing 48.49m the following weekend and also threatened the national record of 38.46m for the discus held by Iammo Launa with a 38.22 metre throw. New Mexico Highlands Teammate and fellow East New Britain Athlete Annie Topal is also in great form in the triple jump. The Pacific Games bronze medallist jumped a huge personal best of 12.98m in the last round her of competition at Albuquerque last weekend to cap off a great series of jumps including a wind-aided 13.01m. Topal dominated the competition to such an extent that four of her six jumps were better than the second placed athlete and her 12.98 is the best mark so far this season in all of NCAA Division 2. The performance earned Topal the RMAC athlete of the week award for this week. “Annie has clearly been working on her speed said APNG President Tony Green and she will be a tremendous asset to the National Team this year. “These awards show that our girls are really making an impression”
Poro Gahekave is also continuing the great form she showed during the indoor season with a time of 4min 52 seconds in the 1500m last weekend followed up less than one hour later by a 2 :17 in the 800m. The 25-year-old was heading for a huge personal best in the steeplechase the previous weekend at Texas Tech when she mistimed her approach to the first hurdle on the last lap and went crashing to the ground. Though she completed the race in 11min 38 seconds, Gahekave was left to rue the missed opportunity to substantially improve her personal best of 11min 18sec and get within striking distance of Rama Kumilgo’s national record of 11min 10 secs set in the lead up to the 2015 Games. PNG’s other middle distance runners in the USA Tuna Tine and Esther Boram are expected to travel to Hobbs this weekend for their first outside competition after running only time trials on their home track so far this season. Theo Piniau has also been in action for West Texas A&M and has run a wind-aided 10.82 for 100m this season and a 21.70 last weekend in the 200m. Benjamin Aliel meanwhile has had a slow start to his first season in the USA with a best time so far of 50.10 in the 400m. An early season hamstring problem set him back a little and he is now trying to rediscover the form that won him the gold medal in the 2017 Games.
2019 Pacific Games Selection Trials Wrap Up
The Athletics PNG selection trials for the Pacific Games held in Kimbe last week were a resounding success, with 38 athletes setting new personal best performances from the 54 national squad members who made the trip. The mens squad did particularly well with 29 out of the 36 athletes setting new personal bests. Athletics PNG extended their thanks to the West New Britain Provincial Administration for their logistical support through Nolene Pidik in the Community Development Division, as well as Ours Enterprises and Arrow Trading for their support.
The highlight of the mens events was a sensational 800m run by Ephraim Lerkin who ran 1min 51.43 seconds to move up to second place on the PNG All time best performance list behind national record holder Clement Abai. Officials were surprised to see Lerkin on the start line as he was expected to run the 400m hurdles. However Kaminiel Matlaun (1min 55.31) and Martin Orovo (1:56.02) were both delighted that he chose to run the 800m as his searing pace pulled them both along to much faster times than they had run on Tuesday in the first 800m race and put them firmly in contention for places in the team. The mens 400m also saw many high quality performances with seven athletes running under 50 seconds, including decathlete Karo Iga.
Eldon Toti was outstanding in the mens jumps with 7.15m in the long and 1.95m in the high jump. The mens distance events also saw some great times with the 1500m race being arguably the best ever seen in PNG with four athletes under 4min 10 secs and another two under 4:!4. Simbai Kaspar was dominant in the 5000m and 10000m with his younger compatriot Abel Siune showing tremendous determination to win the 3000m and in fighting all the way to the line in the 1500m and 5000m. In the womens events Leonie Beu ran a massive personal best of 55.85secs in the 400m and established herself as a serious medal contender in the 100m as well with another huge pb of 11.84secs. Young Monica Kalua was outstanding in the 3000m and 5000m, winning both races with Mary Tenge showing that she is getting back to her best form with clockings of 11min 05secs for 3000m and 19min 56 in the 5000m. With Poro Gahekave also in top form in the USA , Donna Koniel on the comeback trail and young Lyanne Tibu running a personal best 2min 18secs for 800m, the PNG women are looking very strong in the middle and long distance.
The PNG women also look set to continue their dominance in the horizontal jumps as Rellie Kaputinrecorded the best ever long jump on PNG soil with 6.10m, whilst fellow ENB athlete Annie Topal placed fourth at the NCAA Div 2 National Indoor Championships in Kansas last weekend with a triple jump of 12.73m. Athletics PNG President Tony Green said the venue for the selection trials was excellent and it was well worth the effort to stage the trials in Kimbe. “Of course there were logistical challenges in moving this number of athletes but the results speak for themselves”
Athletics PNG will be meeting with the Justification Committee of the PNG Olympic Committee on Tuesday next week and expects to be able to announce its team for the Games soon afterwards.
Athletics to Meet with Sports Psychologist
PNG head coach Dior Lowry said they have secured the services of Australian sports psychologist Stephanie Hanrahan.
The secretary of the Fiji Association of Sports and National Olympic Committee, Lorraine Mar, said psychology was key to any athlete’s preparation.
Team Fiji would undergo medical tests to ensure they are mentally prepared, she said.
“Psychology and nutrition, those are fundamental aspects of an athlete’s preparation,” Ms Mar said.
“But those are some things our national federations are only now slowly embracing. Hopefully, more of those sports will adopt those practices.”
PNG aims to take 52 athletes while Fiji is expecting to send a 500-strong contingent to Apia.
New Caledonia and Tahiti have been the most successful countries at the games although PNG topped the medal table when they hosted the event in 2015.
Athletics Concludes Course at Institute
Athletics PNG has just concluded the delivery of an innovative coaching course at the National Sports Institute in Goroka, Eastern Highlands province.
The course was attended by 26 representatives from the four regions.
The two-week coaching course was presented by the sprints and hurdles head coach Dior Lowry with Philip Newton (jumps), Brett Green (throws) and Bernard Manau (distance) delivering components relating to their respective areas of expertise.
NSI director Janet Gimots and her staff members Samu Sasama, Kylie Martens and Philip Kamane also presented sessions.
The coaching course covered the NASM OPT model, the nervous and cardiovascular system, sports administration, human development, resistance training, kids athletics, jumps, throws, sprints, hurdles, steeple chase and long distance running skills.
“This course provides a process to facilitate enhanced performance enabling coaches to develop their coaching skills as well as assist them to reach their personal and organisational objectives,” said Lowry.
President Tony Green was on hand at the weekend to present certificates before the coaches returned to their respective provinces.
He said with the ongoing training camp at NSI involving several volunteer coaches who did not hold any formal certification and many teacher coaches around the country were on holiday, APNG could not miss this opportunity to stage the course.
He thanked the PNG Olympic Committee for its support through the DNSS program; NSI director Janet Gimots for her support; and Dior Lowry and Bernard Manau for their input with the course manual.
He said that APNG planned to deliver the course in other centres in the second half of this year.
Athletes Prepare for Final Selection Trials
There was little rest over the Christmas break for the National Athletics squad as they gear up for the final selection trials for the Pacific Games over course of the next month.
Competitions are being planned in Goroka and Kimbe to assist Athletics PNG finalise its selections ahead of the Justification Committee Meeting in March.
The PNGOC has set 27 February as the deadline for nominations for the final team. Athletics PNG will consider competition results from 2018 and these trials in finalising its team for the Games in accordance with its selection policy.
Athletics PNG has over the course of the last few months gradually increased the number of athletes in Camp with the number now at its peak of 47 with athletes from Simbu, Lae, East New Britain, New Ireland, NCD Central, Madang, Eastern Highlands, Sepik and
Western province.
Coaches Dior Lowry, Subul Babo, Wala Gime, Rupert Warigi, camp manager Sarah Ageda and physiotherapist Monsy Uviro are looking after the squad in camp.
Athletics PNG is especially grateful to the National Sports Institute director Janet Gimots for her support for the program and key sponsors PNG Air and Prima Smallgoods. There will be competitions in Goroka on January 19 and 26 and officials are now working on arrangements to take the squad to Kimbe for competitions on the synthetic track and with electronic timing in use. Competition is expected to be fierce in the men’s sprints especially the 400m which has traditionally been PNG’s strongest event.
PNG is in the enviable position of having six to eight quality athletes vying for places in the individual 400m and 4*400m including established athletes Ephraim Lerkin, Benjamin Aliel, Theo Piniau, Emmanuel Wanga, Kaminiel Matlaun, and with quality newcomers Shadrick Tansi and Daniel Baul also in the mix.
The women’s middle and long distance races are also expected to be competitive with Jenny Albert in good form, Donna Koniel on the comeback trail and several young athletes emerging such as Lyanne Tibu, Monica Kalua and Mary Tenge.
Jumps coach Phillip Newton returns on January 15 for his second visit to check on the progress of his athletes and see them compete in the first trials in Kimbe.
“Whilst Goroka is a great training environment, the conditions there are not ideal for jumps competition and you really need an all weather track,” said Newton and the athletes will need a few days of practice in Kimbe to adjust their run ups.
Throws coach Brett Green, who worked with Debono Paraka, in the lead up to the Commonwealth Games where Paraka set a new national record of 52.60 arrives in Goroka tomorrow to spend 10 days with the throwers and multi-event athletes at the camp.
In response to questions about disciplinary issues, APNG confirmed that two athletes were dismissed from the camp in August for breach of the no-alcohol rule.
One was re-admitted after apologising and submitting a letter of appeal whilst the other athlete involved decided to train in his home province.
President Green took the opportunity to remind all athletes seeking to earn a place in the team that they must register their interest with Athletics PNG and sign a letter to confirm that they have read the selection policy and are aware of the administrative requirements.
Athletes must be in good standing with APNG to be considered for selection. Anyone with any queries on this matter can email APNG on png@mf.iaaf.org or contact one of the officials named above.
Athletics PNG run coaches course at NSI
ATHLETICS PNG development officer Dior Lowry is planning to deliver the first Athletics PNG coaching course starting tomorrow at the National Sports Institute, Goroka.
A total of 24 participants are expected to attend the course, including eight females. Entitled fundamentals of coaching, the course will, apart from covering each event group and discipline, also cover topics such as: chronic diseases, OPT model, the nervous system, joints and muscles, endocrine system and carbohydrates, the Cardiovascular System, Human Movement, Flexibility Training and The Coach.
Lowry, who is in PNG under an IAAF-funded project, aimed at developing coaches and athletes, will be assisted in delivering the course by NSI staff Janet Gimots, Samu Sasama and Mike Smith as well as APNG coaches Bernard Manau and Subul Babo.
Visiting coaches Phillip Newton and Brett Green are also being invited to assist in their specialist areas of jumps and throws. Athletics PNG president Tony Green commended Lowry for his work in putting together the 68-page course manual.
He said that there were a lot of people assisting around the country in athletics in various capacities, especially coaching and organising athletic activities in their respective centres who had not had any formal coaching education, so there was a real need for this course. “With so many of these individuals already in Goroka for the training camp this was an ideal opportunity to deliver the course,” Green added. The course will be delivered in eight half-day sections over a period of 10 days. This is to avoid interrupting the ongoing athletes’ training camp and to allow participants time to absorb new things and for informal discussions.
Javelin Thrower Looking Toward 2019 Pacific Games
By ISAAC LIRI
GROWING up in Mananakele village of Kapari in Abau, Central, Lakona Gerega didn’t see himself as a javelin thrower.
But it all started in 2013 when Gerega was attending high school at Ianu where he was introduced to javelin during physical education.
The 22-year-old recalled making fun of the sport, mimicking the traditional act of hunting which he was familiar with.
He took up the sport just for fun not thinking that sooner or later, a door would open for him in athletics.
“I made fun of the sport because it reminded me of hunting in the bush using spears which is an activity our people do in the village,” Gerega said.
Prior to the Papua New Guinea Games in 2014, Central was hosting district games to select their team and out of all the talent on display, Gerega was a standout — throwing 48m was enough to get him on the plane to Lae for the first time.
Being in Lae was exciting but the experience gave Gerega nightmares after all his throws were disqualified.
He went home without a medal and only stories to tell about the sport and the opportunities.
“At the 2014 PNG Games, all my throws were disqualified because it was my first time to throw in such an event. I was really nervous,” Gerega recalls.
Gerega described his Lae experience as a stepping stone that got him to work harder on his technique.
Some would have given up after their first attempt but for Gerega, he knew there was room for improvement so he kept at it.
Today, he is part of the Athletics PNG train-on squad gearing up for the 2019 Pacific Games in Samoa.
Gerega is the national record holder, having thrown 59.43 in June.
The previous record of 58.62m was set by Albert Momberger at the 1991 South Pacific Games in Port Moresby.
He managed to win silver at the 2017 PNG Games, representing Central for the second time.
Gerega then went on to win gold at the 2018 national championships and the Southern championships.
“I feel that this sport can bring me a lot of good things, which is why I am giving a lot of effort to develop myself in javelin,” he said.
“I want to break my own record and be a role model to young people who want to pursue a career in athletics.
“I improved my technique under coach Paul Bannister.
“I am looking forward to the selection trials that Athletics PNG will have early next year and hopefully I make the final squad for the Pacific Games.
“I believe I’m the first person from my village to compete in javelin.
“Now that I am into javelin, there are many boys back in the village who are interested in the sport.
“They ask me to train them. In Kapari, rugby league is dominant but they’ve seen me do well.
“My family back home are very supportive and before I came to Goroka to join the train-on squad, they encouraged me to listen to instructions and do my best.”
O’Neill says work on stadium to start in 2019
Courtesy of the National Newspaper
By ZACHERY PER
PRIME Minister Peter O’Neill has reaffirmed his commitment to build a stadium in Goroka for athletes around the country.
He reiterated an earlier commitment to develop the stadium at the National Sports Institute (NSI) and called on relevant stakeholders, including Eastern Highlands Governor Peter Numu and Goroka MP Henry Ame, to ensure cooperation for the project.
O’Neill said it was important to build the stadium in Goroka to prepare athletes at high altitude for international events.
“The project will start next year and will be delivered in this term of Parliament,” O’Neill said.
Numu and Ame said they were behind the development of the stadium.
Numu thanked O’Neill for his commitment to have the stadium built in Goroka and assured him of the provincial government’s support.
Creating Training Programs
Generally
The development of yearly training programs requires coaches to have a clear intended direction as it relates to a number of variables. District, Provincial, Regional, National, Games competitions and trials guide these programs. Other things to consider when developing programs include vacations or other foreseeable interruptions during the training year; flexibility will allow your program to be a working document. Once your competition dates have been established by yourself or others, list your phases of training:
Preparation
Specific Preparation
Pre-Competition
Competition
Peaking
About half of your competition plan should be spent in the preparation phase
It is important identify how many days a week you intend to train and integrate the concept of hard days (h), medium (m) days, easy days (e) and recovery (r) days; recovery periods are when improvements are gained. It is not advisable to train hard, hard, hard as the body will eventually elicit a negative response to training and be put at a high risk of injury. Beginning with (h), (e), (m), (r), (h), (e), (m), (r) is a recommended method.
Preparation
This phase should be focused on injury prevention through technique, flexibility, motor skills, stabilization and general strength training. Some emphasis should be on speed and flexibility each day even if only in a small unit. Interval workouts considering duration (length) of runs, intensity (how hard), repetitions (how many), time (how long) of runs will help to formulate intensity workouts. Circuit training is an effective way to increase V02 max endurance, general strength and add variation to your programs.
For example:
Distances: 1000 meters (m), 600m, 400m, 200m, 100m, 30m; some focusing on technique, while others focus on speed or power
Intensity: 65-70% effort (e), 70-75%, 80-85%, 90-95%, 95+%
Repetitions: 1-2 (repeats), 1-3, 3-5, 5-6, 2 (sets) x5(repeats)
Recovery Time: 1 minute (min), 4 min, 4mr, 10 mins
Specific Preparation
About 1/4 of your days will be spent in this phase, during this phase you will get to the meat and bones of the athlete’s intended event group. By this time you should have identified the strengths of the athlete and steered them toward specific event categories. Categories can be separated by sprinters, jumpers, distance runners or throwers. Flexibility, motor skills, stabilization will still be components of your training, but there will be an emphasis on building strength with slightly fewer repetitions and sets than the preparation phase.
Specific activity examples include:
Starting blocks, 180s, 150s, hurdle approaches
Throws with implements
New interval distance runs at faster speeds
Short jump approaches
at 85% – 90%
with 5 reps and 4 mins recovery after each
Competition
This phase will take athletes all the way to Nationals or the postseason, coaches should ensure all earlier developed components are maintained while work volumes change. There are typically two hard days, one easy day and a competition or trial during this phase.
Example:
at 85% – 90+%
with 3-4 reps and 6-9 mins recovery after each
Peaking
A series of tapers can guide the coach toward the peaking phase, 21, 14, 7 days tapers will emphasize gradual decreases in volume, stress, and load; but remain high intensity to allow athletes to recover and display personal bests. A short peaking day might include 3 days recovery before nationals or 1 set instead of 2 sets. Emphasizing quality over quantity is extremly important in this phase.
Culture, Health, Education, Tourism, and Athletics; a Universal Development View
The youth and houseline handcrafts and enjoys traditional dance in the village, afterward, a ball is thrown into the mix and free play is now the focus of the day. Social influence working at its best to promote motor skills, strength, speed, and endurance is an often overlooked component of physical development and sports.
Was dance the warm-up activity? Did dance affect the intensity at which the ball game was played? Did the intensity of the game affect the level of fun at which the game was played?
Following our participation through an exhibition 100m sprint event at the 2018 Goroka Show, the question of continued partnership with the promotion and tourism authority has led to further analysis. As we dissect the individual benefits of cultural dance, performances at tourism events, school participation and social promotion; the question of universality and sports development lies. Conditioning activities can enhance performance through physiological mechanisms linked to increased muscle temperature; decreased muscle stiffness, increased oxygen delivery in muscles. Increases in heart rates can be seen in Papua New Guinea cultural dance participants through planned movements that involve running, jumping, arm lengthening and moderate to loud speech. The physical requirements for nonpracticing populations may cause a different physiological response than those who frequent the activity. Dancers need high levels of strength and balance for a variety of reasons; for example, slow and controlled movements require the dancer to support the weight if the leg through their range of motion for several seconds.
Psychological benefits derive from dance as well; According to the American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging, dance is universally enjoyable and beneficial; few people consider it exercise. Despite this, segmental benefits exist; activities such as belly dance supports the maintenance of a strong abdomen, an erect spine and steady sense of inner balance. Qualitative studies have shown aesthetic forms of expression build passion and can contribute to older adults physical, intellectual, and social development and self-motivation. This research invites the questions like what would happen if more tourism opportunities were provided in Papua New Guinea; and how would this affect the older population. A related study on dance utilized measurements in cardiovascular endurance, flexibility, muscular strength, balance, cognitive ability, and body composition. This study showed a significant improvement of 60-90 percent in at least one of the measures of physical health and no evidence in the negative direction.
The IAAF has set a model for youth development following general physical education principles which set out to improve cardiovascular endurance, flexibility, muscular strength, balance, cognitive ability, speed, and agility. Though not confined to schools and school children, the social structure of schools is an ideal environment to implement such principles to benefit the general population and aspiring athletes. School through youth interaction serves as a site where bodily norms are disseminated in multiple interconnecting ways that shape how youths understand bodies and bodily practices. With the benefits from continuous play and body awareness duly stated, there may be a benefit for tourism performers as it related to movement (speed, fluency), endurance and diaphragm activation for greater tourist entertainment.
Well conditioned athletes who perform under stressful or highly observed conditions contribute to the medal tally in National pride events such as Pacific Games, Oceania Championships and Olympic Games. With sports psychology being noted as a necessary component to high performance, opportunities to perform in stimulating environments both sport and nonsport related should increase with tourism opportunities in the country.
Dior Lowry
Videos
Major activity at 2:30 seconds
Brown, Andrea C., et al. “Effects of Plyometric Training Versus Traditional Weight Training on Strength, Power, and Aesthetic Jumping Ability in Female Collegiate Dancers.” Journal of Dance Medicine & Science, vol. 11, no. 2, May 2007, pp. 38–44. EBSCOhost, 0-search.ebscohost.com.library.ecok.edu/login.aspx?direct=true&db=s3h&AN=25527473&site=eds-live&scope=site.
“Dance Your Problems Away.” Industrial Engineer: IE, vol. 46, no. 3, Mar. 2014, p. 14. EBSCOhost, 0-search.ebscohost.com.library.ecok.edu/login.aspx?direct=true&db=bth&AN=94510160&site=eds-live&scope=site.
Ferreira-Júnior, João B., et al. “Effects of Different Conditioning Activities on 100-m Dash Performance in High School Track and Field Athletes.” Perceptual And Motor Skills, vol. 125, no. 3, June 2018, pp. 566–580. EBSCOhost, doi:10.1177/0031512518764494.
Hubiak, Brandi. “Belly Dancing: The Sacred Art (and Workout!).” New Life Journal: Carolina Edition, vol. 7, no. 1, Feb. 2006, pp. 12–30. EBSCOhost, 0-search.ebscohost.com.library.ecok.edu/login.aspxdirect=true&db=hxh&AN=19957695&site=eds-live&scope=site.
Hwang, Phoebe Woei-Ni, and Kathryn L. Braun. “The Effectiveness of Dance Interventions to Improve Older Adults’ Health: A Systematic Literature Review.” Alternative Therapies In Health And Medicine, vol. 21, no. 5, Sept. 2015, pp. 64–70. EBSCOhost, 0-search.ebscohost.com.library.ecok.edu/login.aspx?direct=true&db=mnh&AN=26393993&site=eds-live&scope=site.
Jette, Shannon, and Erica Blue Roberts. “‘We Usually Just Start Dancing Our Indian Dances’: Urban American Indian ( AI) Female Youths’ Negotiation of Identity, Health and the Body.” Sociology of Health & Illness, vol. 38, no. 3, Mar. 2016, pp. 396–410. EBSCOhost, doi:10.1111/1467-9566.12349.
“Retraction: Dance Reveals Symmetry Especially in Young Men.” Nature, vol. 504, no. 7480, Dec. 2013, p. 470. EBSCOhost, doi:10.1038/nature12728.
Bodyweight Exercises for Development and Safe Training
There is no doubt about the benefits of strength development using conventional gym equipment such as barbells, dumbells, medicine balls etc. Strength development using the bodyweight of athletes is a great way to teach proper lifting movements, learn to target specific muscle groups, and integrate with circuits. Gym equipment may not be accessible to every coach; thus a resource to equip coaches with a training inventory that is usable in any environment has its benefits.
The Human Anatomy chart located in the Resource section is a good start to identify bodyparts you wish to target.
A bodyweight book is embeded below
Training Pace Chart
Training percentages and pacing is an effective way to measure the desired intensity and energy output from athletes. When designing individual training programmes this tool will be useful in ensuring athletes follow the improvement path of the coaching staff. We have linked a pacing chart that will allow coaches to input a competition time and estimate percentages; this is to be used as a guide; given there are a number of variables that affect the exact percentage.
These variables include:
running footwear, running surface, weather, temperature, nutrition, the athlete’s mental focus, and others.
Link to editable pace chart and enter your athlete’s competition time in the cell with red text.
Note: this is best viewed from a computer
Men and Women Recover Differently from Fatiguing Exercise
Article Titled:
Active Voice: Men and Women Recover Differently from Fatiguing Exercise – Let’s Stop Pretending They Don’t!
By Sandra K. Hunter, Ph.D., FACSM, and Jonathon Senefeld, Ph.D.
Sandra Hunter, Ph.D., FACSM, is a professor of exercise science in the Department of Physical Therapy, Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Dr. Hunter’s research is focused on understanding the mechanisms for sex and age differences in fatigability
The limits of human performance in healthy men and women during athletic events and activities of daily living generally can be defined by fatigability of skeletal muscles due to mechanisms that originate along the motor pathway from the brain to the active muscles. Although men are typically stronger and more powerful, women are typically less fatigable than men during submaximal static and slow dynamic contractions of limb muscles performed at the same relative intensity (see the review by S.K. Hunter in November 2016 issue of MSSE). Emerging evidence, however, suggests that this difference in fatigability between men and women varies with the type of task performed, although the causes are relatively undefined.
Nationals Wrap up
Specialist jumps and multi-events coach Phillip Newton was at the Sir John Guise Stadium last weekend to witness the National Track and Field Athletics Championships. Newton, who has been working with Athletics PNG since 2014 was on the lookout for new talent that can be developed for the Pacific Games next year. Accompanying him was Coach Luke Donatini who will perform the role of Coaching Director for the PNG Athletics team for the Games. The Championships were supported by PNG Air, Lae Biscuit Company, Prima Smallgoods, Trukai Industries and Coral Sea Hotel. Newton was particularly impressed with Robert Oa of Port Moresby who has been taking part in jumps competitions for the last couple of years. “Robert is very raw and needs to improve his running technique, but that can be easily fixed, said Newton. He has all the physical attributes to become an outstanding decathlete”. Another athlete who impressed Newton was 17 year old Edna Erik from Lae who ran the women’s 200m and 400m. Newton recommended that she be prepared for the heptathlon.
Eldon Tioti (ENB) , Daniel Baul (NCD) and Shadrick Tansi (Central) who have all been on the Athletics PNG radar for a couple of years each stepped up significantly to stake their respective claims for places in the team for the 2019 Games. Tioti who has returned to his native ENB after completing his secondary education in Port Moresby gave Peniel Richard a very strong challenge in the long jump, finishing second with a leap of 7.15metres to Richard’s 7.19m. Tansi set the scene for a high-quality men’s 400m final by registering the fastest time in the heats with 49.01. However, Ephraim Lerkin and Emmanuel Wanga both used their experience and saved something for the final. Tansi improved to 48.88 in the final but had to settle for third place as Lerkin powered to a personal best 47.92secs with Wanga second. Baul won the men’s 400m hurdles in 55.00 seconds and placed fourth in the 400m final. Having the 400m hurdles heats sandwiched between the 400m heats and final on Saturday was tough on Baul and he did very well to clock 49.02 in the 400m final. Another athlete to show significant improvement was NSI based Abel Siune who tracked Simbai Kaspar for three and a half laps before outsprinting him in the home straight to win the men’s 1500m in a huge personal best 4min 16 seconds. There were many other good performances (in fact too many to mention) including Leonie Beu who won the women’s sprint double in impressive fashion; Isila Apkup in the women’s 400m ; Chelsea Garesa in the women’s 100m; Lyanne Tibu and Mary Tenge in the middle distance; and Ratu Hou in the men’s 110m and 400m hurdles.
Looking at the potential for the future, Donatini was impressed with the Javelin throwing ability of young Falton Hori from Jiwaka as well as ENB’s Bryan Adavu who threw 51.96m in the open men’s Javelin. Elizah Ryan of East New Britain was outstanding in the under 18 long jump and high jump and in the under 16 division Sama Kore from Central Province performed very well. On the track, Julian Lei and Paias Wisil both impressed in the Under18 100m final and young Terrence Talio of NCD made the open men’s 100m final, finishing fourth behind established sprinters Michael Penny, Charles Livuan and Linus Kuravi. Young Jonnica Manau of East New Britan was the runaway winner of the U14 girls 100m, clocking 15.63secs). Athletics PNG and its coaches will now study the results carefully and make some additions to its training squad for the Pacific Games.
Coaches Resource Information
Meet Management Guide
Coach Profile: Malcom Limbai
Name: MALCOLM LIMBAI
Birth place: Wewak, East Sepik Province
Current Location: Brandi Secondary School, Wewak, East Sepik Province
How long you been coaching? I’ ve been coaching Athletics since 2011 when assisting Coach Otto Wafia and in 2013 I continued to do coaching when coach Otto Wafia went for studies in U.S.
What do you do for a living? I am a teacher by profession and I am currently teaching here at Brandi Secondary School.
What made you want to start coaching? I started coaching athletics because I was inspired by coach Otto Wafia and also with the background knowledge of teaching physical education.
How does your administration support you teaching and coaching? The administration of Brandi Secondary has been very supportive since athletics program was established in the province. Currently our school principal is the President for East Sepik Athletics Association in the province.
How many athletes you have? Currently I am coaching 30 athletes here at Brandi Secondary School but when including other athletes from other secondary schools around Wewak town than the figure increase to 50 athletes.
How long have you been coaching? Six years now as an athletic coach.
Have you Coached any athletes who have competed internationally? Yes, Isila Apkup (located in Goroka)
What is your favorite athletics event to watch? I love watching 400m & 200m sprints. What is your favorite athletics event to coach? 400m sprints
Coach Profile: Nelson Mandau
Coach Profile
Name: Nelson Mandau
Birthplace: Kavieng, New Ireland Province
Current Location: Utu Secondary School. Kavieng, New Ireland Province
How long have you been coaching? I’ve been coaching Athletics since 2015 after moving here to New Ireland Province. Was a soccer coach back in my own province.
What do you do for a living? Currently I am unemployed and I’m coaching athletics here at Utu Secondary school on a volunteer basis.
What made you want to start coaching? I started coaching athletics when I met Ephraim LERKIN and he was without a coach and was looking around for an athletics coach to coach him. That was back in 2015
How does your administration support you teaching and coaching? The Administration of Utu Secondary has been very supportive in assisting me with the training and the use of their athletic training implements.
How many athletes you have? Currently I am coaching 45 athletes here at Utu Secondary school.
How long have you been coaching? Four years now as an athletics coach.
What is your favorite athletics event to watch? I love the 400m hurdles
What is your favorite athletics event to coach? 400m hurdles
Coach Profile
Name: Sylvester Kitemong
Birth Place: M’bunai, Manus
Current Location: Lombrum Primary School, Manus
- How long have you been coaching?
I have been coaching for more than ten years - What do you do for a living?
I worked as primary school teacher. - What made you want to start coaching?
I saw that kids have talents that needed someone to commit themselves to grooming them up. I thought I can, and that’s exactly what I’m doing now. I stood on the Motto: “No athlete is a Bad athlete” - How does your administration support you teaching and coaching?
The Manus government supports me in taking athletes out for competition. The education division gives me approval to take athletes out during official hours of duties and even supports school kids financially when participating. - How many athletes you have?
Currently I am taking eight athletes to participate at the National Championship tomorrow. But I have trained more than 20 athletes. - What is your favorite athletics event to watch?
Mainly the sprints, high jump and long jump, javelin and shot put - What is your favorite athletics event to coach?
Mainly the sprints, javelin & shot put and would like to try high jump - Have you coached any athletes that have competed internationally?
Yes, athlete Damien Kotou competed and earned a bronze medal at the 2017 Oceania Championships in Fiji on the 4x100m relay.
Nationals
Athletes around PNG are preparing to travel to Port Moresby this week for the National Track and Field Championships at the Sir John Guise Stadium. Apart from two NCD teams and one from Central there are expected to be teams from Kerema, Lae, Goroka, Wabag, New Ireland, East New Britain, Kokopo Town, and two teams from Simbu. A full range of events will be offered as usual in the open and under 18 divisions and a limited number of events in the under 16 division. Para events will also be offered according to the demand with three Para athletes already confirmed to compete with the able bodied athletes. Any other centres planning to attend are urged to contact the organisers immediately through phone 72117092 or email png@mf.iaaf.org to receive the information package that includes entry forms, competition rules and timetable. The event will kick off after lunch on Friday August 24 and continue all day Saturday and Sunday. Athletics PNG thanked their sponsors PNG Airlines, Prima Smallgoods, Lae Biscuit Company , Coral Sea Hotels and Trukai Industries. With the 2019 Pacific Games now less than a year away Athletics PNG coaches will be looking out for new talent as well as assessing the form of existing team members. President Tony Green said that the Championships were important part of the process of selecting the team for the Games but that performances in various competitions over the next six months will also be considered. A circular on this subject was recently posted to the APNG website and Facebook page.
Richard Addresses Business Leaders
Athlete Peniel Richard addressed a gathering of business leaders in Lae last week at a Breakfast hosted by the Lae Chamber of Commerce. US Ambassador to PNG Mrs. Catherine Ebert – Gray was in attendance along with representatives of several large US corporations visiting Lae to discuss business opportunities. Richard, the PNG National Record Holder in both long and triple jump spoke about his experiences as an athlete attending university in the United States and was very well received. Following the function, Athletics PNG made a presentation to the Ambassador and her delegation about its athletes currently attending colleges in the USA. One representative from the visiting delegation said she was amazed at the presentation and suggested that as part of its commitment to PNG the company would consider a scholarship to enable one of the returning athletes to undertake post graduate studies. Ambassador Ebert – Gray said she was equally impressed with the presentation and was excited to hear about the scholarship opportunity. APNG Secretary Philip Rehder thanked the Lae Chamber President John Byrne for the invitation to Peniel to speak and for facilitating the presentation.
Tuna Tine
PNG middle distance runner Tuna Tine left Port Moresby on Sunday afternoon for the USA where she will join her teammate and friend Esther Simon Boram at New Mexico Military Institute in the city of Roswell New Mexico. Tine, who completed her Grade 12 last year at AOG Christian Academy in Lae has a full scholarship to run cross country for NMMI in the National Junior College programme. “Tuna is only 21 years of age but already has a lot of international experience, said Athletics PNG President Tony Green. Her humble nature makes her a great role model to younger athletes and she is fully deserving of this wonderful opportunity”. Tine flew out to Brisbane on Sunday afternoon and is expected to arrive in Roswell on Monday afternoon local time (Tuesday morning PNG time) after overnight in Los Angeles.
Free Online Coaching Course
Kwarula to IAAF Athletics Seminar
Sharon Kwarula will head to London tomorrow for the IAAF Women in World Athletics Seminar to be held at the Olympic Stadium. “The IAAF Gender Leadership Taskforce has identified a need to provide specific leadership and development opportunities for aspiring female leaders within the Sport of Athletics” said Acting CEO Nigel Garfitt last month when inviting Member Federations to Nominate candidates. Kwarula was selected along with Kiribati’s Eritabeta Teaiwa to attend the Seminar with New Zealander Annette Purvis who represents Oceania on the IAAF Women’s Committee.The three Oceania delegates will join 31 others representing Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Americas. The aim of the seminar is to support delivery of the IAAF and Oceania Area’s minimum gender targets and will include such topics as the under-representation of women in athletics; why diversity and gender equality is important; leadership; and the IAAF’s own Governance Reform Project. Importantly, the seminar will provide aspiring female leaders with excellent networking opportunities and establish relationships with mentors to assist in their own personal development.
Athletics New Ireland Completes Provincial Trials
Courtesy of Coaches: Nelson Mandau and Subul Babo
See results below
https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B6uFfNGuZ100bndfTTZsZHRWU3Z6ck43UEd5SUxLZmxNbUdB
New Ireland
Athletics PNG and its sponsor PNG Air came to the rescue of Athletics New Ireland today (Wednesday) as the Provincial Championships were getting underway in the afternoon at Utu Secondary School in Kavieng. The New Ireland Athletic association, assisted by local officials Subul Babo and Medley Laban had been unable to raise the funds to fly across from Kokopo the APNG Photo Finish expert George Moramoro. Teams had already begun arriving in Kavieng by Tuesday afternoon and by Wednesday morning approximately 150 athletes had arrived. With the photo finish camera Moramoro can capture fully electronic times for track races without the need for lots of timekeepers using manual stopwatches.”Manual times can be very inaccurate, said 1991 South Pacific Games 400m champion and former national record holder Babo. The athletes will be very happy to get electronic times”. Laban thanked PNG Air for providing a ticket at short notice for Moramoro and APNG for covering his accommodation cost. Teams from various districts around Kavieng together with several high school teams ( including Utu Mongop , Madina , Namatanai and Lihir) are assembled for the two and half day event which will conclude on Friday. Meanwhile APNG Secretary Philip Rehder said it was disappointing to hear of ongoing difficulties being faced by New Ireland Athletics whose team got stranded in Port Moresby last year and did not make it to the National Championships in Goroka and then did not attend the PNG Games. He appealed to decision makers in the Province to work with Athletics PNG to ensure that the Province was represented at this years Championships in Port Moresby. “New Ireland has been a rich source of talent over the years and we hope that the athletes will not be let down again”, he said especially since next year is a Pacific Games year.
Manoka John to IAAF World Under 20 Championships
Port Moresby based sprinter Manoka John heads to Canberra today (Tuesday) en route to Finland for the IAAF World Under 20 Championships that will be held in the City of Tampere from July 10 to 15. John clinched the one place available to PNG with a solid series of three 100m races in Goroka at the recent PNG Air Highlands Momase Athletic Championships, clocking times of 11.22, 11.20 and 11.22 secs. John first came to the attention of Athletics PNG last year with occasional glimpses of his speed shown in local competitions in Port Moresby. “However he didn’t produce his best at the National Championships and PNG Games and was not really in contention for selection until very recently” said APNG President Tony Green.”We staged a camp at NSI in January 2017 in an attempt to identify possible candidates for this event but a number of those athletes dropped out of contention for varying reasons. School commitments, lack of recent competition results and information concerning training commitment also made it difficult to select an athlete, but I have no doubt that we have a quality athlete with a bright future in Manoka, Green added. John will attend to visa requirements in Canberra then compete at a local meet at the AIS on Saturday before flying to Helsinki.
Highlands Momase Wrap Up
The National Sports Institute came alive last weekend as over 700 athletes from all around the Highlands as well as Lae, Bulolo and Port Moresby participated in the PNG Air Highlands Momase Regional Athletics Championships. The highlight of the weekend was strong competition in both the Open and Under 18 men’s 100m and 200m. PNG Games 200m winner Linus Kuravi won both the Open Men’s 100m and 200m in times of 11.15secs and 23.06 respectively with 18 year old Manoka John (11.22) giving him a strong challenge in the 100m. Toea Wisil’s younger brother Paias showed the benefit of consistent training in Goroka by winning both the 100m and 200m in the U18 division. In fact, his times of 11.34 and 23.10 in the face of strong challenges from Lae’s Ezekiel Nawas and Goroka based Jnr John Hou were very impressive. National Rep Simbai Kaspar as expected dominated the mens distance events. Para athletes also impressed at the weekend, in particular, James Kaudua in the mens 5000m who continued the good form he showed at the PNG Games in Kimbe. A quality race in the Open 800m was the highlight of the womens track competition, with Tuna Tine winning from Jenny Albert and Mary Tenge. Lae’s Rocka Manau produced arguably the best field event performance of the weekend with a 6.71m long jump. Manau clearly adapts well to the conditions in Goroka as he also won the National Title there last year . Sponsors PNG Air , NSI , Prima Smallgoods, Lae Biscuit , and Sengda Trading were all acknowledged and thanked for their support. Organisers of the event had to deal with the usual issues of late entries and cheating with several grossly over age athletes in the U16 boys division. Athletics PNG has requested a report on the conduct of one visiting team official from Simbu who was seen taking out his frustrations with a verbal tirade against an innocent bystander. APNG Secretary Philip Rehder said this was unacceptable behaviour and the matter would be investigated and action taken if deemed appropriate.
Highlands Championships Approaching
Athletes from the Eastern Highlands, Jiwaka, Mount Hagen, Simbu, Madang, Lae, Bulolo and Port Moresby are preparing to travel to Goroka this week for the PNG Air Highlands Momase Regional Championships which will be staged at the National Sports Institute. The Local Organising Committee headed by Philip Kamane have been busy putting the finishing touches to preparations for the event. Athletics PNG Secretary Philip Rehder thanked the Institute for its support of this event as well as other sponsors Prima Smallgoods Lae Biscuits and Sengda Trading. PNG Air are sponsoring flights for a number of experienced technical officials from around PNG including one from Kokopo and three from Port Moresby. A very large entry of 500 to 600 is anticipated following visits to Simbu and Jiwaka recently and local interest generated through the Eastern Highlands School Athletics Programme run by the Institute this year. Kamane urged all teams to submit their entries well ahead of their arrival in Goroka to avoid causing delays to the commencement of events on Friday afternoon. Oceania Athletic Association is lending its support to the event with Competition Manager Tom O’Shaunessey paying his first visit to PNG to assist with the operation of a fully automatic timing system.
Pom Association Weekend Results
Courtesy of Coaches Nabase Duaba, John Gitiri
Trukai
Trukai Industries is the latest company to lend its support to Athletics PNG’s NSI based training programme in preparation for the 2019 Pacific Games, through a monthly donation of Rice. On behalf of the Company, Corporate Affairs Manager Ancilla Wrakuale said that Trukai was pleased to support the athletes training in Goroka with a monthly rice donation up to July 2019. In thanking Trukai for its support, APNG Secretary Philip Rehder said that there are currently a dozen national team members in residence at NSI undergoing training for next years Games, and the number will gradually increase in accordance with our ability to support them. “The food donations from Prima Small Goods, Lae Biscuits and now Trukai are very welcome indeed” he added.
NCAA D2 Nationals
PNG Athletes Annie Topal and Sharon Toako both competed well at the NCAA Division Two National Championships recently in Charlotte, North Carolina, securing fourth place overall and a podium finish in their respective events of Triple Jump and Javelin throw. Topal jumped 12.81m which was an impressive performance for an athlete in her first season in the USA. The event winner Diana Cauldwell (13.16m) was competing in her fourth and final year of Inter-Collegiate Athletics whereas the second and third place getters were in their third and second seasons respectively. Toako was fourth in a closely contested Javelin competition with a throw of 47.21m which was just shy of her national record mark of 48.60 set earlier in the season. Only 8 cm separated the throwers in second third and fourth, with the event winner throwing 49.11m and second place 47.29m
Competing for New Mexico Highlands University, the two ENB girls each contributed five points to their teams total of 26 points which secured them seventh place overall. A total of 116 universities from all over the USA were represented at the Championships, although some schools only participated in one or two of the 21 events on the track and field programme. Athletes qualify or are invited to participate in the National Championships based on their performances in intercollegiate competition through the season. For field events, it’s usually around the top 16 to 20 ranked athletes that make it to Nationals. Afure Adah was also at the Championships with her Minnesota State 4*100m Relay team and a number of other PNG athletes travelled to the event to support their teammates
Highlands Momase
The National Sports Institute is preparing to host the first major domestic athletics competition of 2018 on the weekend of June 22 to 24. Teams from all over the Highland Region, as well as Morobe and Madang, are expected to travel to Goroka for the PNG Air Highlands/Momase Championships. A large turnout is expected this year as a result of the Schools Athletics Programme being conducted by NSI and recent visits to Jiwaka and Simbu by NSI staff accompanied by Toea Wisil and Athletics PNG Development Officer Dior Lowry.
APNG has three Regional Championships on its annual calendar of events, with Southern and NGI being scheduled later in the year. Championship coordinator Philip Kamane urged teams to respect the deadline of June 15 for the submission of entries which will enable the competition to proceed without undue delays. A full range of events will be contested in the Open and U18 divisions and a limited number of Under 16 events. The Highlands Momase provides a good test for athletes ahead of the National Championships which will be held in Port Moresby in August. Athletes who wish to be considered for the 2019 Pacific Games are expected to compete at their respective regional championships as well as the Nationals. Further details about the event may be obtained through email at png@mf.iaaf.org or by calling Philip Kamane on 72620907 or Samu Sasama 70940680
Updated APNG Continuing Education Registry
PNG Air Highlands Momase Regional Athletics Championship
Location: National Sports Institute
Date: 22 – 24th June 2018
Closing entry deadline: 15th June 2018
Technical meeting: Friday 22 June at 10:00am at the NSI Classroom
POM Association Weekend Results
Courtesy of Coaches Nabase Duaba, John Gitiri
Eastern Highlands Secondary School Athletics Carnival Results
Mandau releases inter-house athletics carnival results from Utu Secondary
The man behind the early development of PNG’s rising hurdle star Ephraim Lerkin has released the results of the latest carnival at his school in Kavieng. Nelson Mandau, an athletics coach with a soccer background has been active in organizing these carnivals for a number of years. The level of interest at his school is a contributing factor; according to one of Lerkin’s coaches which still includes Nelson “he currently has about one hundred and thirty athletes training with him at the moment and he is a very enthusiastic coach”.
Kaputin Graduates
Rellie Kaputin has graduated from West Texas A&M University in the USA after a four and half year College programme which has seen her excell as a track and field athlete whilst completing her degree. Athletics PNG President Tony Green witnessed the graduation ceremony along with a number of Kaputin’s fellow PNG team members including Sharon Kwarula, herself a graduate from the same University. “Rellie’s parents couldn’t be there so it was great to see many of her friends there to celebrate her big day with her” said Green. We are all so proud of Rellie for what she has achieved, and make no mistake about it she has had to work incredibly hard to get this far. In PNG a lot of people believe that students have to sacrifice their sporting endeavours to be successful in school, but both Rellie and Sharon have shown that with determination, hard work and sacrifice, the two can be combined.
During her four year Collegiate Athletic Career, Kaputin has won multiple National Titles and many other awards, as well as winning three gold medals at the 2015 Pacific Games and two gold and one silver at the Pacific Mini Games last year.She has also set many national records in the high jump, triple jump and long jump.Kaputin will remain in the USA for the summer before relocating to Australia in October where she will train with Coach Phillip Newton. Her aim is to focus on the long jump with the aim of qualifying by right to attend the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. Athletics PNG and the PNG Olympic Committee are currently seeking a sponsor for Rellie to support her in this endeavour.
Good performances at Jiwaka School Championships
After two days in Jiwaka with National Sports Institute staff and students; Athletics PNG Development Officer Dior Lowry was pleased with the level of interest and participation. The competition averaged 2,000 plus spectators and competitors as Kupun Wisil and Sprint Queen Toea Wisil was also in attendance. Some athletes were identified in the process, particularly in the throwing events; something hypothesized based on the Highlands lifestyle and stated in the Federation’s Long-Term Athlete Development Model.
Standout athletes and school officials will be provided with invitation letters to attend the National Sports Institute for camps in phases at a later date. During these phases, the athletes will be subject to some tests to evaluate their ability to learn new skills, social adaptation and capability to work in groups.
As a word of encouragement to the people of Jiwaka; Lowry said this “there is an enormous amount of talent in the Region, keep training and improving on your talents while enjoying an open sport for all.”
TNT
Athletics events around the country can proceed as normal this year after TNT Express responded to a request for assistance from Athletics PNG to ship a consignment of starting caps from Brisbane. Due to their reclassification as dangerous goods, caps for the type of starting pistol traditionally used around the country have become extremely costly and difficult to import, resulting in supplies drying up. APNG Secretary Philip Rehder said that officials around the country had been worried about being able to conduct their school carnivals as well as Regional and National Championships. Rehder thanked the General Manager of PNG Air Freight Doug Maskelyne for his assistance in authorizing a free of charge clearance and shipment of caps through TNT Express. Coach Allan Akia was on hand in Lae to receive the shipment from TNT Lae Branch Manager Valmay Barry.
Melanesian Championships
Six young athletes left for Port Vila today for their first overseas experience at the Melanesian Championships which run from Wednesday to Friday next week. The athletes are 100m and 200m sprinters Frederick Ageda (Pom)and Linus Kuravi (WNB); distance runners Gethru Komba and Mary Tenge (Simbu); middle distance runner Lyanne Tibu (ENB); and East Sepik athlete Isila Apkup who runs 400m. They represent the best of the young talent which emerged from the National Championships and PNG Games last year and are considered future representatives at the senior level, with many of them targeting the Pacific Games in Samoa next year. Veteran hurdler and Vanuatu resident Mowen Boino will also compete at the Championships and assist Team Manager Nabase Duaba.
Ageda was outstanding at the National Championships in Goroka last year, winning the 100m and 200m in the Under 18 division whereas Kuravi came to the fore at the PNG Games where he won gold in a very competitive men’s 200m and also placed third in the 100m. Komba was dominant in the long distance events last year and her Simbu team mate Tenge impressed in both the 1500m and steeplechase events. Both are considered strong candidates for the PNG team to the Pacific Games next year. Lyanne Tibu showed great improvement in the 800m and 1500m events during the second half of 2017 and won the PNG Games 800m as well as placing third in the 1500m. Apkup first came to the attention of Athletics PNG at the 2014 PNG Games as 15 year old when she clocked an outstanding time of 61.83 seconds to place third behind Donna Koniel and Raylyne Kanam. At the 2017 Games in Kimbe, Apkup was the gold medallist in a time of 60.13secs and was drafted into the APNG development programme as a result.
Athletics PNG President Tony Green said that the team was to have been eight athletes,however, Letisha Pukaikia withdrew a couple of weeks ago after an injury setback and another athlete was dropped when it became apparent that his travel documents would not be ready in time. “The timing of the event is not ideal for us, coming so soon after the Pacific and Commonwealth Games, he added. It is time to take stock of where we are and focus on the domestic programme as we plan for the Games in Apia next year.”
2018 Ranking List
Updated May 6, 2018
Rocky Mountain Conference Championships
East New Britain athletes Sharon Toako and Annie Topal were in great form last weekend helping their New Mexico Highlands University Team win the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) Track and Field Championships in the city of Golden, Colorado. The Conference Championships are the highlight of the track season for most NCAA College athletes with only those who hit the qualifying marks going on to represent their schools at the National Championships. The RMAC Championships brought together athletes from 14 Universities from around Colorado, New Mexico, South Dakota, Nebraska and Utah for a weekend of competition in the full range of track and field events.
Toako continued her recent great run of form with a Championships record throw of 48.36m to win the Javelin, giving a whopping margin of 9 metres over the second placed athlete. This mark is a Conference record, being the best women’s Javelin throw ever at the Championships, eclipsing the previous mark of 47.10 which was set in 1999. Toako is ranked second in the country in NCAA Division two as she now turns her attention to the Nationals which will be in Charlotte North Carolina later this month. Annie Topal was also in great form setting personal best performances in the long jump, triple jump and 400m hurdles. The 21-year-old, competing in only her first season in the USA placed third in the long jump with 5.99m which was a significant improvement on her previous best of 5.52m and as expected Topal went on to win the triple jump. Her triple jump mark of 12.82 also ranks her second in the country in NCAA D2 competition. After clocking a personal best 62.23 seconds in the heats of the 400m hurdles Topal was expected to challenge for first place in the final but had to settle for fourth in 63.42 after hitting the sixth hurdle quite hard.
Meanwhile, another athlete hoping to make it to the Nationals is Poro Gahekave who will compete in the Lone Star Conference Championships this weekend representing Lubbock Christian University. Gahekave has been in fine form recently clocking personal best times in the 800m (2:15.13); 1500m (4:45.0);; and 3000m steeplechase (11min18.82). Sprinter Afure Adah who recently attended the Commonwealth Games is already assured of her place at Nationals as her Minnesota State team are currently ranked Number 1 in Division Two in the 4*100m relay.
NSI’s Primary School Sports Program
Staff from the National Sports Institute attended a consultative meeting today at the Henganofi District Office with Sports teachers from selected schools within the District. NSI achieved three important outcomes today.
1. Establishment of a Working Committee to take lead for all district organized sporting activities in ten schools with the backing from their head teachers and the Standards Officer-Education including Community Development Office. This is to strengthen NSI’s Primary School Sports Program (PSSP).
2. Successful placement of Certificate III in Sport & Recreation Management students to support Community Sports and the Primary School Sports Program in Henganofi. They will complete a 6-week workplace training in the district.
3. Visitation of selected school who will host the 1st District PSSP for Henganofi at Faientina Primary School. This school will host 10 other schools for the 1st upcoming Athletics festival on the 14-15th May. NSI will support this school to mark a 300m track and assist in hosting this event.
NSI’s vision is to one day host a National School Games. This district has embraced the program and is sure to lead other districts in EHP to provide physical activity opportunities in the absence of a school sports program and/or physical education classes.
PNG Air
PNG Air has partnered with Athletics PNG Inc through a three-year sponsorship package valued at well over K100,000 that will provide flights for its Development Officer to travel to other centres to conduct programmes and enable key technical officials to attend major events such as National and Regional Championships. Key benefits that the Airline will be granted in return include recognition as a major sponsor of the Sport of Athletics, naming rights to a number of Regional Championships and recognition as a supporting sponsor of the National Championships.In announcing the Sponsorship PNG Air’s Chief Commercial Officer Paul Abbot said that the Airline is proud to be associated with Athletics PNG as this organisation has done much to promote the country on the world stage. We are hopeful that in some small way we can assist the development of this country’s athletes to achieve their full potential and compete to the best of their ability”.
APNG President Tony Green said that the support of PNG Air at this time was a huge boost to the sport as it embarks on an ambitious programme of in-country athlete and coach development. “The sponsorship complements the support of our international body (the IAAF), Olympic Solidarity and the National Sports Institute by allowing our Development officer Dior Lowry to travel to a number of main centres to monitor national squad athletes, conduct coaching clinics, and courses; and to assist conduct talent ID programmes” said Green. Being able to fly in a small number of key officials to help with the running of Regional and National Championships will be a big help, especially in the area of photo finish, entries and results.
Wisil to race in Japan Grand Prix
Papua New Guinea’s Pacific Sprint Queen Toea Wisil will begin her 2018 campaign by making her second appearance in the Seiko Golden Grand Prix on April 28. She will contest the 100m and 200m over a stretch of three races.
Last year during her first competition invite she placed 5th and 3rd over 100 and 200m respectively. Training in Goroka has been going well; she will train at the PNG Sports Foundation’s Sir John Guise Stadium in Port Moresby with Assistant Coach / Administrator Sharon Kwarula prior to departure (Development Officer Dior Lowry).
Athletics PNG SIGNS MOU
Saturday 30 September marked the beginning of a new relationship between Athletics PNG Inc and the PNG Sports Foundation through the National Sports Institute with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding. Under the MOU the parties will work together to develop the content knowledge and best-practised skills of the Sport of Athletics to the next level targeting PE Teachers, coaches, trainers and athletes. PNG Sports Foundation Director of Major Events and Marketing John Susuve was on hand to sign the MOU on behalf of the Executive Director, along with APNG President Tony Green.
Talks have already been held with the University of Goroka and with the MOU now signed, APNG will provide the course materials for the Human Movement Studies branch of NSI to make a submission to the University for teaching. It is anticipated that if all goes well a limited number of promising athletes will be identified through APNG’s own High-Performance Division and NSI activities to enrol at what will become a National Sports Academy, with enrolment complying with the set procedures of Stem 101 and the TVET Institute of UOG. The Sport of Athletics has a long history of combining training programmes with education, both domestically and internationally.
In signing the MOU Mr Susuve said that the Foundation was very happy to work closely with National Federations and especially a sport like Athletics which, being a key sport for PNG on the International Stage, lifts the profile of the country. He said the MOU strengthens the development pathway for our athletes and the Foundation wants to see sports like Athletics making use of the NSI facilities.
APNG President Tony Green said that NSI is the logical place for our athletes to train because of its central location, great climate and the training and accommodation facilities. He said he hoped that the Government will see the benefit in upgrading the facilities instead of focusing all its efforts on infrastructure in Port Moresby. He thanked NSI Director Janet Gimots for her understanding of the Athletes needs and support for athletics programmes at NSI since taking over her role a couple of years ago. Apart from the pursuit of tertiary education programmes, APNG and NSI plan to reintroduce the scholarship programme whereby a small number of quality developing athletes will relocate to NSI and attend high school.
Updated National Coaches Registry
Updated Coach Education Registry as of April 30, 2019. Provincial or Department of Education course requests can be sent to athleticspnghp@gmail.com
Updated Events and Activities
April 28, 2019
Updated performances submitted by coaches and officials has prompted Athletics PNG to input the final performances from the 2018 season. All 2019 performances have been updated as of April 28th and will continue to be updated as athletes continue activities domestically and internationally. Associations are encouraged to submit performances promptly to allow for verification in a timely manner.
The latest competition information has also been updated for the 2019 season
Grassroots to Elite Development
Emotional and Physical Development for Elite competition and performance
Activities by level.
- School enrollment, athletics meeting, medical checks and in house PE assessments
- School training, carnival and festival pre competitions, selections – multi-events
- Club competitions, Association club network competitions – multi-events
- Club championships – multi-events
- School or parent-funded provincial and international competition – specific events
- Regional championship – specific events
- National championship – specific events
- International championships – specific events
Some Areas Address
Athletics PNG High Performance 