Team NMI awarded cash incentives

Team NMI’s historic run in the 10th Micronesian Games held in the Republic of Marshall Islands last month is now forever etched in the history books, and they were thanked for their record-breaking performance with cash incentives last Tuesday night in an appreciation ceremony at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

Incentives were given to medalists based on the medals they won, as well as for athletes who did not win medals.

It was $500 per gold medal, $300 per silver medal, and $200 per bronze medal, with a cap of $2,000 if an athlete won four gold or other medals.

The ceremony was attended by Team NMI athletes and officials of the eight sports federations, the sponsors, Lt. Gov. David M. Apatang, Northern Marianas Sport Association board president Jerry Tan and board members, Senate President Edith DeLeon Guerrero (D-Saipan), Sen. Jude U. Hofschneider (R-Tinian), Saipan Mayor Ramon B. “RB” Camacho, and family, friends, and supporters.

All eight sports won a medal—with the most medals won by the NMI National Team Swim Team. Their bounty consisted of 49 gold, 15 silver, and 14 bronze.

Isaiah Aleksenko won nine gold; Kean Pajarillaga collected seven gold and one silver; Maria Batallones gathered nine gold and three silver; Frances Raho won four gold, two silver and two bronze; Kouki Watanabe grabbed three gold, three silver, one bronze; and Shoko Litulumar won two gold medals and six silver medals; Justin Ma won five bronze; Richard Zhao had one bronze; Sari Barman won three bronze; and Maria Guerrero won two bronze. Nagi Tenorio completed the swim team and they were coached by Hiroyuki Kimura, Richard Sikkel, David Roberto Jr., Christian Villacrusis, and managed by Yuko Kimura.

The NMI National Athletics Team hauled in 13 medals—five gold, two silver, and six bronze medals. Gold medals were won by Tania Tan with three, and Lyle Andrew and Maria Quitugua with one each; Simon Tang and Cody Shimizu won a silver medal each; and bronze was won by Lia Rangamar, Daniel Joab, Andrew, Justin Camacho, and Quitugua with two.

The NMI National Tennis Team brought home seven gold medals and two bronze. It was a clean sweep for all events as the team consisted of Isabel Heras, Robbie Schorr, Colin Ramsey, Hoo Wang, Si Woo Lee, Irin Chung, Hannah Chae. Wang and Ramsey won one bronze, while Chung won the other bronze. They were coached and managed by Jeff Race and John Bradley, and were joined by technical official Lydia Tan.

The NMI National Weightlifting Team won three gold, five silver, and four bronze medals. Kaya Rasa swept her division and won three gold, Lowell Cristobal bagged two silver and one bronze, Riella Ichiuo snatched three silver, and flag bearer Antonette Labausa won three bronze. The rest of the team were made up of Jaden Andrew, Lucio Eugenio, and Joseph Pangelinan and were coached by John Davis.

The comeback of NMI wrestling showed a strong debut with their sweep of three gold medals each for a total of six gold by Ryan Babauta and James Attao-Greene Jr. They were coached and managed by Rick Bauer and Jason Tarkong.

The NMI Women’s National Basketball Team won silver. They were made up of Azzy Fatialofa, Madelein Alegre, Alliyah Fernandez, are Sylvina Simram, Yasmeen Younis, Kaia Travilla, Michelle Kautz, Lia Rangamar, Destiny Pangelinan, Lalaine Pagarao, Cassandra Camacho, and were coached by Connie Camacho.

The NMI Women’s National Fastpitch Softball Team won its first ever medal in the Micro Games with a bronze. They were made up of Ashlie Aguon, Christy Aldan, Jaylina Borja, Kiara Borja, Angel Deleon Guerrero, Rayna Deleon Guerrero, Jenisha Dubrall, Mayiah Duenas, Britney Gopez, Destiny Pangelinan, Alannah Sablan, Rosie Saralu, Kiana Aldan, Jhaneeka Atalig, Kiana Camacho, and Keolani Rios. The coaches were Manny Sablan, Derron Flores, Mariano Aguon, and Mark Flores.

The NMI National Beach Volleyball Team won a bronze each in the men’s and women’s division. Aurora Santos and Kathy Winkfield bagged bronze in the women’s division, while Dylan Mister and Jermaine Salas bagged bronze in the men’s division.

First-time Micro Games athlete and gold medalist Kaya Rasa of weightlifting made some remarks toward the end of the ceremony.

She said, “We extend our gratitude to all our sponsors for their incredible support in making this a reality for Team NMI. Your generous contributions have not only provided us with resources, but also fueled our passion and commitment to achieving our goals. Your belief in our vision and unwavering support have been instrumental in our journey. We look forward to making you proud and continuing the successful partnership. Thank you for being an integral part of our team’s success.”

She then addressed the team and said, “Your dedication, hard work, and perseverance have truly paid off. This remarkable achievement is a testament to our passion and unwavering determination. Our victory not only brings honor to us, but also to everyone who has supported us along the way. May these achievements be the beginning of many triumphs in our journey.”

She also thanked her coach John Davis, Antonette Labausa, and her weightlifting teammates.

Team NMI’s participation in the 2024 Micronesian Games was supported by the following sponsors: Joeten Daidai Foundation, Saipan and Northern Islands Legislative Delegation, Skechers, Marianas Express Lines Ltd. as platinum sponsors. Triple J Enterprise, E-Land, TakeCare Insurance, and D&Q International Distributors were gold sponsors. RNV Construction, Bank of Guam, IT&E, Dial-Rent-to-Own, Chinese Association of Saipan, Black Construction Corporation, GPPC, and Matson were silver sponsors. And P&A Corporation, Laolao Bay Golf & Resort, McDonald’s Jose and Ruri Foundation, Y.K. Corp., Zoom Cafe, Artman Corp., and I Love Saipan were bronze sponsors.