Cheers, hugs welcome Team Marianas home

Team Marianas received a warm welcome from their families, friends, and supporters, and members of the NMI sports community as athletes and officials returned home last Sunday night after competing in the 2023 Pacific Game in Honiara, the Solomon Islands for two weeks.

Banners bearing the athletes and team’s names greeted the returning NMI delegates, while there were also exchanges of hugs and offering of leis, flowers, and other welcoming gifts. Every time athletes or officials came out of the door at the arrival area of Francisco C. Ada/Saipan International Airport, the crowd gathered outside gave them a round of applause.

“We, parents are all excited to welcome them back. We are all proud of them for what they have accomplished in the 2023 Pacific Games,” said Yulia Aleksenko, mother of swimmer Isaiah Aleksenko, who brought home and gold medal and bronze in individual events and added two more bronze in relay races.

“At the same time, we are also relieved that they are finally home. We know there were challenges and tough conditions in the Solomon Islands, but they all endured them. Thank you to the coaches, the team officials, and their fellow athletes, for staying together and looking out for each other,” said Yulia Aleksenko.

NMI Bodybuilding and Physique Federation president Dee Clayton was also part of the big welcoming group at the airport and was pleased that both their representatives did well in the competition. Christina Tudela came home with the gold medal in the model physique category, while Davy Laxa got a bronze in the men’s under 65-kg class.

“It’s been a while since we last sent representatives in the Pacific Games in the bodybuilding event, so I am so proud that we just did not compete, but we also won medals. We’re here at the airport during the send-off and also at the welcoming event to show our full support to our delegation,” Clayton said.

Team Marianas chef de mission Nick Gross led the NMI delegation’s return to Saipan after leaving the island last Nov. 15 via charter flight (Solomon Airlines). They then spent more than two weeks in Honiara and competed in athletics, beach volleyball, bodybuilding, football, golf, soccer, swimming, tennis, and va’a.

“I sincerely thank each of you for your commitment to Team Marianas and your patience and support over the last few weeks. I am m proud of our showing and your ability to overcome the obstacles and stay focused throughout. It has truly been a pleasure to work alongside you and lead Team NMI. Rest, recuperate, and enjoy knowing that we gave it our all. Spend some time assessing your individual performances and drawing up a plan to improve where needed, for the next opportunity to compete and represent is just over the horizon. Biba NMI!” Gross said.

Northern Marianas National Paddle Sports Federation president Justin Andrew, who was part of the delegation and served as manager of the va’a team, was overwhelmed with the welcome they received from families and friends.

“We’re surprised to see a lot of people and the banners, this is a very nice gesture,” Andrew said. Now, we will go home and get the much-needed rest and then work on our programs again.”

NMSA president Jerry Tan, vice president Ray Tebuteb, treasurer John Hirsh, and board member Alex Sablan also greeted the NMI delegation as they returned home last Sunday night.

“We are so proud of what our Team Marianas athletes and officials have accomplished in the 2023 Pacific Games. They did not only do well in their respective competitions by winning medals, but the entire delegation have also shown sportsmanship, resilience, teamwork, and respect for their competitors and the host country,” Tan said.

Team Marianas’ participation to the 2023 Pacific Games was made possible by the strong support of the Joeten Daidai Foundation, Triple J, Crowne Plaza Resort, IT&E, IP&E, Tan Siu Lin Foundation, Mobil, Tan Holdings, and McDonald’s of Guam & Saipan. (PR)