Silver for Papua New Guinea
A great start in the pool for Papua New Guinea saw Jhnayali Tokome-Garap take their first medal with her silver in the 50m Backstroke Final with a new National Record time of 29.88. The previous National Record of 29.98 had stood since 2008.
‘My heart was beating, I tried to close my eyes to lower my heart rate, I think it was the adrenaline, but I was really excited to be in the finals.’ Jhnayali admitted afterwards.
That adrenaline would have been pumping throughout the race as the top 5 were separated by only 0.63 seconds in the tightly contested race. Not knowing where she had placed as she got out of the pool she described being ‘surprised’ and ‘overwhelmed’ when her lane was called as second place.
Nevertheless, ‘she can’t wait to get her medal and show it to her mum’. Hopefully the first of many successes for Papua New Guinea this week.
Words & interviews: The Reporters’ Academy. Photos: Ryota Nishida & Ryan Pini