PAPUA New Guinea hurdler Daniel Baul has claimed gold in the Men’s 400m Hurdles finals after the conclusion of the Philippines Open Championships over the weekend.

Athletics PNG Inc. recently took Baul and 12 other elite and emerging PNG athletes to compete in the championship in New Clark City, Tarlac, Philippines.

This was part of their Team PNG preparations towards the 2025 Pacific Mini Games in Koror Palau, next month.

The PNG team of 13 athletes came away with one gold medal, five bronze and a host of personal best times.

Approximately 1000 athletes took part in the full range of events in Open and Under 18 divisions over four days.

With clubs from all over the country being joined by eight international teams including Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia.

APNG president Tony Green said, “It was a very good competition for the athletes. Elite athletes Daniel Baul and Benjamin Aliel had strong competition as did all the other senior athletes including Dilu Goiye, Siune Kagl, Robert Oa, and Karo Iga.”

“Baul won gold in the 400m hurdles in 52.91 secs with Sialis Passingan taking third with a personal best 53.55 and William Peka fourth (54.73), again demonstrating PNG’s depth in this event,”

“Aliel won bronze in the 400m with a time of 47.97secs.”

The competition was also a great experience for developing sprinter Patricia Kuku who won bronze in both 200m and 400m with personal best times in both events (25.53 and 57.88 secs). Ray Kumala Heru won bronze in the 3000m steeplechase with a personal best time of 12min 16.75 secs.

Many other personal best performances were recorded, including Robert Oa in the 110m hurdles, Abel Siune, Monica Kalua and Ray Kumala Heru in 1500m, Denlyne Kinbangi in 200m, and Dilu Goiye in 10000m.

“Overall, it was a very challenging competition at the right level, that pushed the athletes to better performances.”

Photo Credit J Justin Gomez