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Pacific Games Day 8 Wrap: 24-year-long record break in athletics and combat sports rise above

 

Pacific Games Day 8 Wrap: 24-year-long record break in athletics and combat sports rise above

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AOC
georgia harris calab law lachy kennedy sol 2023

Check out today's results from the Aussie athletes at the 2023 Pacific Games.

Athletics – Four gold, one silver and Games record on impressive night at the track 

Australian track and field athletes continued their scorching form in Honiara, taking out gold in the women’s heptathlon, women’s 100m and men’s 800m to go with an Aussie 1-2 in the men’s 100m sprint.

800m runner Jack Lunn started the winning procession, clocking 1.48.43 to break the Pacific Games record that has stood since 1999, 

“It feels so special,” Jack said. “It’s not often you get to represent Australia, and even rarer to stand on the podium for Australia. I’m so grateful to have been selected to compete here and put my best show on.

“Being able to get out there and give it my all was great, and to get a Games record means a lot.

“I had a plan to get out front and be confident with my lead into the final 200m – I figure the best way to do that is go out hard and see how I go from there.”

Heptathlete Mia Scerri continued her impressive form on her second day of competition, notching strong results in the long jump, javelin and 800m to win gold with a new personal best score of 5624, to go with her individual PBs in high jump, hurdles and shotput.

“Standing on the podium hearing the anthem play was surreal – the first time that’s ever happened for me,” Mia said. “I tried to take in everything, it was a really proud moment up there.

“I’m so stoked with this result, to put in a really good two days of competition and end up with an overall PB.”

Calab Law and Lachy Kennedy then made it an Aussie quinella in the men’s 100m, Calab getting the win in 10.40 ahead of Lachy in 10.49. Calab had to come from behind after a flying start from Lachy, with Calab only taking the lead in the final 15 metres.

“It’s awesome running against each other, getting an Aussie 1-2 – it’s the best,” Calab said. “I was starting next to Lachy, so I’ll always look bad, he’s got such a great start, but managed to get the win.

Lachie echoed the sentiments of enjoying running against his training partner in a new environment.

“I came out of the blocks pretty good, felt really good, just got run down in the end,” Lachy said. “Calab is an incredible 200m runner so I knew he’d be coming. 

“It was a good race, a lot of fun, for our first big comp of the season – and my first international medal for Australia!”

Georgia Harris capped off the golden night, winning the women’s 100m in 11/70, 0.16 clear of Isila Apkup of Papua New Guinea in silver in the evening’s final race.

Earlier in the day, Tokyo Olympian Ellie Beer qualified fastest through to the 400m finals to be held tomorrow night, notching 55.24.

Taekwondo – Hard training and sacrifice leads Team AUS women to gold

It was smiles all around for Team Australia at the opening day of Taekwondo with Juliet Lahood, Stacey Hymer, Rebecca Murray and Reba Stewart completing a gold medal sweep of their individual events.

Juliet was the first of the Aussie women to claim gold, winning her gold medal bout 2-0 against Tahiti’s Tiare Huaatua in the -49kg division.

“I feel good, all the hard work is paying off. I’ve been training hard, five days a week, twice a day,” the 21-year-old said.

“My friends and family will be pleased, they put in a lot of effort, time and sacrifice back home for me to be here.”

Tokyo 2020 Olympian Stacey Hymer (women’s -57kg) and Rebecca Murray followed (women’s -67kg), both scoring 2-0 victories in their final bout. Rebecca, who was also a gold medallist at the 2019 Pacific Games, defeated Pauline Lolohea (TGA) in the final and Stacey prevailed over New Caledonia’s Lindsay Gavi.

“I feel really good and happy with the result,” Stacey said.

“I’ve really enjoyed the Pacific Games. My first time in Solomon Islands, first time doing a Pacific Games so I’m just really enjoying it, enjoying the team spirit and enjoying meeting all the other athletes from the other countries.”

Victorian and Tokyo 2020 Olympian Reba Stewart put the pressure aside to get the better of Tahiti’s Hinavai Tepea in the women’s +73kg gold medal bout.

“I felt really good out there, I had a lot of fun,” Reba said.

“I’ve fought her before and every time she comes back stronger.”

With the women's competition completed, the men will take to the arena on Wednesday 29 November with Ben Camua, Tyrone Staben, Matthew Summerfield and Liam Sweeney all getting their chance at becoming Pacific champions.

Boxing - Four wins from four for men progressing through quarter-finals

Yusuf Chothia, Harry Garside, Shannan Davey and Teremoana all progressed to the final four of their Olympic qualification tournament with victories at Honiara’s Friendship Hall.

Yusuf opened the Aussies account with a controlled unanimous win over Eriu Temakau from Kiribati in the 51kg class, Harry followed up with another clear win over the dangerous John Ume from Papua New Guinea.

Shannan had a tight tussle with Tawhiri Toheriri of Cook Islands, winning in split decision, before Teremoana stopped Solomon Islands local Jerry Leo within a minute of the first round.

Harry relished the chance to get in the ring to start his qualification tournament.

“The first fight was a good hard one, I knew it would be challenging – John was the reigning Pacific Games champion, he’s a massive puncher so I knew I had to show up at my best,” Harry said.

“He’s so strong. I had to bend the knees, get out of the way at these punches. I’ve worked with John a few times, the camaraderie and friendship this sport can bring is special. I’m sure we’ll see each other again, hopefully I don’t have to fight him too many more times, he punches too hard. 

“Every fight I need to get better and better, the opponents here are class and I’ve got to make sure I show up and bring my best performance.

“The atmosphere was amazing – all the singing and chanting, not only here at boxing but throughout the village and the venues is so good.”

Yusuf was happy to notch his first win, with two more ensuring qualification for Paris 2024.

“The first fight is always the most nerve wracking, I think I boxed pretty well, and great to get the win,” Yusuf said.

“I love hearing the Aussie cheers – and the roar for the opposition drives me too, it makes for such a good atmosphere.

“I came here to win an Olympic quota spot, I’m so excited to get back out there in two days and take the next step.”


The campaign for Paris quotas continues tomorrow with Tiana Echegaray, Caitlin Parker, Tyla McDonald, Callum Peters and Adrian Paoletti all set for quarter-final bouts.

Beach Volleyball – Aussies open with strong wins

Australia’s men’s and women’s teams both notched strong victories in their opening round of matches, with men’s pairing of D’Artagnan Potts and Ben Hood defeating New Caledonia 21-9, 23-21, before Stefanie Fejes and Jana Milutinovi defeated Tahiti 21-16 21-9.

“It was a nervous start, but it’s great to get our first win and hopefully we can produce some more good volleyball,” Ben said.

“The New Caledonians weren’t the tallest, but they were crafty and had a good serve on them that put us under pressure. Glad to get the win and hopefully we keep growing our game through the tournament.”

Jana and Stefanie were both relieved to get out on the sand to start their tournament.

“It was awesome having the squad out supporting us tonight,” Jana said. “It’s our first multi-sport event, it’s been a great atmosphere – we’ve been getting out supporting other sports and they’re showing up for us too.”

“It was really fun to play a later game under the lights,” Stefanie added. “We’ve had a couple of days to settle, so it’s so good to get back out on court and play.”

Jana and Stefie continue their tournament 1.30pm tomorrow against Samoa, while Ben and D’Artagnan face off against Wallis & Fortuna at 11am and Fiji at 6pm to complete their pool play.

Sailing – Racing abandoned due to weather conditions

No racing took place for the ILCA-7 and women’s sailboard sailors due to lack of wind – racing is expected to resume tomorrow.

Day 9 events

Follow the action on our social channels and keep up with the schedule and results here.

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