 |
Scholarship athletes in Beijing – How they fared
Thursday, 21st Aug 2008
The four HPTC – Oceania scholarship athletes who competed in the XXIX Olympic Games in Beijing have now completed their participation. Below is an analysis and summary of how they performed. They are listed in the order in which they competed.
Moses Kamut (Vanuatu) – 100m
Moses moved down from the 400m, the event that he ran in the 2004 Athens Olympic Games to the 100m for this Olympic Games. He was drawn in Heat 1 which saw him up against fellow Pacific Islander Francis Manioru (Solomon Islands) and World Record Holder, Usain Bolt (Jamaica). The heat was won as expected by Bolt (10.20), with Moses finishing in 7th place with a time of 10.81 seconds (w -0.2). His time compares favourably with those times he achieved during his build up in Europe prior to Beijing. His fastest time of the tour was also 10.81 on 16 July in Liege (Belgium). Although his time in Beijing was slower than his personal best of 10.64 he had the satisfaction of being the fastest sprinter amongst the others from the Pacific Islands. None of the other eight Pacific Island athletes competing in Beijing in the 100m broke 11.00 seconds.
Ana Pouhila (Tonga) – Shot Put
‘Ana went into this competition with high expectations and a lead-in performance of 18.03m. She had also 10 previous performances over the 17.20m Olympic Qualifying Performance. In her warm up she had two throws over 17.50m and looked in terrific form. What happened between the warm up and the start of the competition is, in the words of her coach Didier Poppe, “unexplainable”. ‘Ana had three throws of 16.21, 16.42, and 16.35. ‘Ana has not thrown this poorly since February 2006. The only consolation that ‘Ana can draw from this is that she entered the competition ranked 29th on best ever performances amongst all of the competitors and finished 27th amongst the 35 women who took part. Had she been able to reproduce near to her personal best throw she would have finished 16th in the competition.
Niko Verekauta (Fiji) – 400m
Niko Verekauta was drawn in Heat 3 of the 400m and had a personal best time which was slower than the other seven competitors in the race. However, Niko ran a terrific first 200m and entered the home stretch in a strong position. With the first three in the race automatically going through to the next round, Niko fought gallantly to secure one of those spots. He however finished fourth in a seasonal best time of 46.32, which is only 1/10th of a second short of his personal best that was set in Belgium last year. Niko had the consolation of beating a Brazilian, a Zimbabwean, a Kenyan, and a Sudanese each of who have run considerably faster personal best times than Niko. Niko went into the competition ranked 55th of the 57 competitors based on personal best times, yet finished 39th on finishing time.
Aunese Curreen (Samoa) – 800m
Aunese came into the Beijing games without a background of hard competitions in recent months. However he ran the race of his life to finish sixth in his heat, recording a time of 1:47.45 which is a personal best, a new Samoa National Record and a Pacific Island Record. His previous best was 1:47.72 that he set at the World Championships in Osaka last year. Aunese was not afraid to mix it with the others in his heat and ran in third place for most of the race. It was only in the last 120m that the others moved ahead. A relatively slow first lap of 53 seconds worked against Aunese running a faster time. Aunese’s time beat some very accomplished 800m runners in other heats including Lachlan Renshaw of Australia who beat Aunese at the Australian National Championships in March. Renshaw ran 1:49 in Beijing. Aunese went into the race ranked 53rd of the 61 starters on personal best time. The fact that he finished with the 29th fastest time of the 58 finishers highlights the magnitude of the run. To finish in the top half of the field at an Olympic Games is a marvellous achievement in itself. The top 24 went through to the semi-finals – Aunese missing this by just five places.
All four of the scholarship athletes will, after the Olympic Games Closing Ceremony on Sunday, return to their home country. Their scholarships (both Olympic and IAAF) have now concluded and they will have to determine their own future in life and whether this will include athletics. They can however have the satisfaction of knowing that they have achieved one of the most exclusive titles in world sport by being able to call themselves “An Olympian” . They will treasure the experience that the Olympic Games has given them and that experience will remain with them for the rest of their lives.
Photograph shows Aunese (far left) during his 800m heat in Beijing.
 |
Let the Games begin
Sunday, 10th Aug 2008
Four Olympic and IAAF scholarship athletes, a former IAAF scholarship athlete and three coaches from the HPTC – Oceania took part in Friday nights glittering Opening Ceremony of the XXIX Olympiad in Beijing, China. ‘Ana Po’uhila was honoured as the flag bearer for her country, Tonga. Below is a short profile on each of the participants.
‘Ana Po’uhila (Tonga)
‘Ana, an Olympic Scholarship athlete is attending her second Olympic Games having competed in Athens (Olympia) in 2004 in the Shot Put. ‘Ana has qualified for these Games on merit having thrown over the Olympic Qualifying distance of 17.20m ten times in the last few months. She has benefited enormously in the last few months from her European Olympic Preparation tour with coach Didier Poppe. During that tour ‘Ana threw the Shot five times over 17.30m and twice broke her own Tonga National and Pacific Islands Records with throws of 17.87m in Amiens and 18.03m in Albertville. In major games, Ana had a best throw of 14.96m at the World Championships in 2003, 15.33m in the Athens Olympic Games (2004), 15.14m at the 2005 World Championships in Helsinki, 16.43m at the Melbourne Commonwealth Games in 2006 and 16.62m at last year’s World Championships in Osaka. It is expected that she will improve on all of this in Beijing.
Niko Verekauta (Fiji)
Niko, an Olympic Scholarship athlete, has returned to Beijing China for another competition. He previously competed in the city in 2006 at the World Junior Athletics Championships. Yesterday he trained at the Chaoyang Sports Centre which was the venue for the Championships in 2006. Niko, like Ana has benefited from a European preparation campaign prior to these Championships which was funded by his scholarship and funding from Oceania National Olympic Committees. During the tour he ran under the 47 second mark for the 400m, five times and although not breaking his personal best of 46.22 seconds, set at the Belgium Championships in 2007, came very close when he recorded 46.57 when finishing second at the Belgium Championships this year. Niko is approaching his best as he heads into this Olympic Games.
Moses Kamut (Vanuatu)
Moses, another Olympic Scholarship athlete at the HPTC – Oceania is attending his second Olympic Games, having competed in the 400m event four years ago in Athens. This time he will compete in the 100m. Moses also prepared in Europe with Niko and their coach Marlon Gevaert. Moses has had a mixed preparation, aggravating and old injury yet on some occasions showing that he has the ability to get near to his Vanuatu National Record of 10.64 seconds. It is hoped that Moses will sign off his scholarship with a performance that approaches this.
Aunese Curreen (Samoa)
Aunese, the sole IAAF Scholarship athlete from the HPTC – Oceania at these Games has had a very limited competition build up to these Games due to the lack of opposition he has encountered in Oceania and Australia prior to his departure for Beijing. In fact if it had not been for his friend and fellow scholarship colleague Arnold Sorina acting as a training partner and pace maker in competitions and in training in Australia, Aunese could have arrived in Beijing totally “undercooked”. Aunese has a best time of 1:47.72 which he did at the World Championships in Osaka last year. His recent run of 1:48.25 against no opposition in Brisbane a couple of weeks ago shows that he is approaching his best and given a good heat and favourable early pace, may well surprise.
Tereapii Tapoki (Cook Islands)
Former IAAF Scholarship athlete, Tereapii Tapoki is attending her second Olympic Games, having competed in the Discus Throw in Athens four years ago. Apii, like Aunese has had a limited build up for these Games, but won the Oceania title in Saipan in late June with a throw of 50.59m. Apii will be looking to approach her personal best of 57.61m at these Olympic Games.
Coaches
Three of the HPTC – Oceania coaches are also in Beijing, each with the athletes that they coach. Steve Hollings , as coach of Aunese Curreen is accredited with Samoa as the athletics coach. Steve is attending his sixth Olympic Games and Samoa is the third country he has represented at Olympic Games. He was a competitor for Great Britain and a team coach and team manager for New Zealand at previous Games and now puts his vast experience to use for Samoa. Surprisingly these are the first Olympic Games for former French National coach Didier Poppe . Didier is ‘Ana Po’uhila’s coach and Didier is accredited as the athletics coach with Tonga. Didier has been instrumental in ‘Ana’s development in making her into a world level athlete. HPTC – Oceania coach Marlon Gevaert , coaches three athletes at these Olympic Games. Marlon coaches Niko Verekauta, Moses Kamut, and James Dolphin who will represent New Zealand in the 200m. Marlon has been accredited as athletics coach with Fiji. Marlon will also be interested in the progress of his sister Kim who is representing Belgium at these Games.
“The HPTC – Oceania has brought a truly international mix of depth and experience to these Games,” commented Steve Hollings. “As well as the five athletes that are representing their own country, we have a New Zealander coaching a Samoan, a Frenchman coaching a Tongan, and a Belgium coaching a Vanuatu and a Fijian athlete! – true Olympism.”
“The HPTC – Oceania athletes and coaches can be justly proud of their successes over the past five years” he added. “We created and developed a programme in order to
Photo shows Didier Poppe and Ana Pouhila at last nights Beijing Olympic Games Opening Ceremony.
 |
National 800m Record for Arnold Sorina in Brisbane
Saturday, 26th Jul 2008
Seven weeks of solid training with his friend and fellow IAAF Scholarship holder Aunese Curreen has paid off for Arnold Sorina when, this afternoon in Brisbane, he ran a new Vanuatu National Record for the 800m of 1:51.23, slicing 0.6 second from the Record he set in January. Arnold finished second to Aunese who won the event in 1:48.25. This is Aunese’s second fastest legal time ever. Third place in the race was 2:30.45!
Both athletes were competing in the UQ All Comers meet at The University of Queensland track in Brisbane. They have spent the past three weeks in Cairns doing some solid training, with Arnold helping Aunese as he prepares for the Beijing Olympic Games in three weeks time. Arnold led off in the race and led his partner through the first 400m in 51.5 seconds. Aunese took over at the bell and passed through the 600m mark in 1:19 with Arnold hanging on five meters behind. Going into the home straight, Aunese eased away, but Arnold hung on grimly to record his best ever time.
“It is a just reward for Arnold”, said Steve Hollings his coach, “he has persevered and has been an enormous help and training partner for Aunese for without Arnold it would have been difficult for Aunese to prepare for Beijing. I’m also very pleased with Aunese’s form. He has been unchallenged in the lead up to the Olympics. What he could have achieved had he had some serious competition in races is the unknown. However I am confident that in Beijing he will go even faster.
Aunese and Arnold return to Auckland tomorrow. On Tuesday, Arnold returns home to Vanuatu, whilst Aunese will have nine days further in Auckland before travelling to Beijing on 6th August.
Arnold’s National Record was the 26th National Record set by HPTC – Oceania Scholarship athletes since October 2007.
Photo Shows Arnold and Aunese after the race.
 |
Niko shows great form in Liege
Thursday, 17th Jul 2008
Olympic Scholarship athletes Niko Verekauta and Moses Kamut were again in action on the European athletics circuit last night when they competed in the Meeting International de Liege held in the Belgium city of Liege. In a truly international field at the rarely run distance of 300m, Niko Verekauta showed that he is in tremendous form leading into the Beijing Olympic Games, when he came fourth in the race in a time of 32.72. The race was won by Calvin Smith of the USA in 32.53, followed by Ato Stephens of Trinidad (32.62) and third was Jonathon Borlee of Belgium in 32.64. Niko again drew the unfavourable, outside lane - lane 8. One of the notable scalps for Niko in the race was his finishing ahead of Australia’s Beijing-bound 400m runner Sean Wroe who finished in sixth place in 33.12. Niko had previously run 33.69 for the distance before departing for Europe. Six of the eight runners in the field also set personal best times.
Moses Kamut was up against very strong opposition in heat 1 of the Men’s 100m. The field contained a Jamaican, a Nigerian, three Americans, Patrick Johnson of Australia, and a South African. Moses ran much better last night, posting his best time of his tour so far when he ran 10.81 (0.7).
Moses and Niko have a few more competitions in Belgium and Holland before they leave for Hong Kong to spend some time with the New Zealand and Australian teams prior to their departure for Beijing. Niko and Moses Olympic preparation tour is being funded by their Olympic Scholarships, Oceania National Olympic Committees and their National Olympic Committee.
Photo shows Niko and Moses sightseeing in Belgium!
 |
Niko Closing in on 46second 400m barrier
Monday, 14th Jul 2008
HPTC – Oceania Olympic Scholarship athletes and IAAF Scholarship athletes were again in action in Europe and in Australia over the weekend as they continue their preparations for the Beijing Olympic Games which begin in one month’s time. Niko Verekauta and Moses Kamut competed in the Brussels Invitation meeting in Brussels, whilst Ana Po’uhila had her final competition of her European Tour in Rapperswil – Jona in Switzerland and Aunese Curreen and Arnold Curreen continued with their training in Cairns, Australia.
Niko improves on his 400m time in Brussels
After finishing second in a time of 46.57 at the Belgium Championships the previous weekend, Olympic Scholarship athlete Niko Verekauta was again in action in the 400m at the Brussels Invitational Meeting in Brussels on Saturday (12 July). Running from the outside lane he finished fourth in the race in a time of 46.51. Marlon Gevaert, his coach commented “Niko ran real well but from lane 8. He was just a bit too far from the top 3 to push him under 46. But I think he can run under 46 soon.” At the same meeting, Olympic Scholarship athlete Moses Kamut ran 10.99 (w0.2) for 7th place in the “A” 100m, and later ran 22.07 (w1.2) for 8th place in the 200m event.
“Chilly conditions and heavy rain” for Ana’s final competition in Europe
Ana Pouhila journeyed into Switzerland on Sunday (13th) for her final competition of her European Olympic Preparation tour. Unfortunately, the conditions were according to the meeting director “Chilly conditions and heavy rain”. Nonetheless, Ana won both the Discus Throw event with a best throw of 49.60m and then the Shot Put with a distance of 17.10m. Ana now returns to New Zealand for a period of consolidation before her departure for Beijing. Didier Poppe, Ana’s coach commented that “the Olympic Preparation tour to Europe had been a great success, with Ana achieving her primary goal of breaking through the 18.00m barrier in the shot put. During the tour she set two National Records in the Shot Put and improved her personal best in the event by 42cm. In the Hammer Throw she had her second best throw ever when she threw 49.68m in Albertville. Now we just have to cement all that she has learnt and acquired and apply this in Beijing”
Aunese and Arnold looking good in Cairns
IAAF Scholarship athletes Aunese Curreen and Arnold Sorina are in Cairns continuing with their training. Arnold is helping Aunese in his preparation for Beijing but intends to finish his own season with some solid performances himself. The two have been short of real competition in this build up, but have competed against each other in a very cooperative way throughout. On Saturday (12th July) they completed a 600m time trial. Aunese ran 1:17.6, (previous best 1:20.82) whilst Arnold ran 1:18.9. The time trial was run in warm conditions but with a strong wind blowing against them a couple of times down the home straight. Aunese and Arnold will have a competition over 800m in Brisbane on 26th August.
Ana's, Niko's and Moses's European Tours are being funded by their Olympic Scholarships, Oceania National Olympic Committees and their respective National Olympic Committees.
.JPG) |
Ana breaks the 18.00m barrier in Albertville, France
Friday, 11th Jul 2008
Olympic Scholarship athlete Ana Po’uhila last night (10 July) become one of a very few select Women Shot Put throwers to throw over 18.00m when she threw 18.03m at the Meeting National D1 d’Albertville Palmy’immo in Albertville, France. This is a new Tonga National Record and a new Pacific Islands Record. Since breaking the 17.00m barrier in Amiens on 27 June 2007, Ana has now broken her own National Record a further four times. This latest throw was also the tenth time that Ana has thrown further than the Olympic Qualifying performance.
In winning the competition in Albertville, Ana also beat the French Champion and French Record Holder Laurence Manfredi, who last week also threw 18.03m in a competition where she beat Ana, in Bourg – en – Bresse. Yesterday’s competition was a real see saw battle between the two with Ana’s opening throw of 17.41 taking the lead. Laurence took over the lead with a 17.60 effort only for Ana to hit back in the second round with a throw of 17.80m. Ana extended her lead with her third round throw of 18.03m. The competition was held directly in front of a grandstand which seated about 2000 enthusiastic spectators.
Didier Poppe, Ana’s coach was absolutely delighted with her effort and had predicted that she would throw over 18.00m on this tour. “It all happened as it was supposed to do” he commented.
Ana has one further competition in Switzerland next week before she flies back to New Zealand for a “regeneration” period before heading off to Beijing on 4th August.
Ana’s Olympic Preparation Campaign is being funded through her Olympic Scholarship, the Oceania National Olympic Committees, and Tonga National Olympic Committee.
LAST updated:
Thu, 21st Aug 2008
Visitors to Site: 13459
– Creating an Environment of Excellence
Our Objective:
"To provide high performance athletes with the environment so that they can achieve qualifying marks for World Series competitions, and to subsequently compete at these competitions with distinction".
This will be achieved by:
• Progressing identified talented athletes through appropriate levels of development.
• Delivering best practice coaching to the programme.
• Ensuring athletes and coaches receive optimum sports science ad sports health support services.
• Providing appropriate competition and training opportunities.
• Developing and sustaining a high performance culture.
• Facilitating support for athletes' current and future personal development.
