Team NMI pushes through in Honiara despite challenges

HONIARA, Solomon Islands—Team NMI showed their resiliency as a people everywhere they go and even more so in the South Pacific’s Hapi Islands—where internet connectivity is sparse and creature comforts that the team is used to back home is at a minimum—if anything at all.

Even with the many challenges from the huge undertaking of the Solomon Islanders hosting the Games for the first time, Nick Gross, the team’s chef de mission, provided some updates on the team yesterday morning before the opening ceremony and said that the team is “resilient” and pushing through.

“Everybody’s getting situated and getting used to village life as it is. The first 48 hours were certainly a little hectic in transportation and making sure that the team has what it needs to perform at its highest. But it’s to be expected, right?”

In the athletes village in the Solomon Islands National University Kukum, where the NMI delegation is designated, there are over 1,000 athletes. Overall, there are about 5,000 athletes from 24 Pacific Island nations competing in 24 sports.

As for the team’s spirit and outlook before opening of the Games, with Gross in communication with each of the 10 team’s managers and coaches, he said, “By and large, we have a very young team here. The vast majority of our athletes are under 25years old. For many of them, this is the first time that they’ve competed in the Pacific Games, so I think the experience in and of itself can be overwhelming at times. The frustrations of coming from such a developed Northern Marianas to a place like the Solomons, you know, every day is a new day for the Solomons and the organizing committee with the different barriers that are coming up and the things that are making things difficult.”

“I think that team Marianas so far has been very resilient and done a great job of kind of rolling with everything. I thank the coaches and the managers again for holding that together and making sure that their athletes understand the complexities of something as big as the Pacific Games. And, I’m just excited to see them all get out there and have the opportunity to compete,” he said.

On his thoughts about the first two teams—soccer and tennis that played last Friday and Saturday—he said, “Our men’s tennis team, everybody expects absolutely the best of the best of the best from the Northern Marianas, and this year, we brought a younger squad. Unfortunately, in both of our men’s singles we lost our matches, but we bounced back and our young team of men’s doubles actually beat Vanuatu—so we’re going to take that as a big success for kicking off the tennis tournament with our young squad.”

For soccer that was played on Saturday, he said the team played against world-ranked Fiji, and that the NMI team “played their hearts out. They hustled and flew around the field. It’s just hard when you’re given up about 30 lbs a player and a few inches in height—and then combined with the Fiji team’s experience. They were really fun to watch play. Team NMI had had some rough breaks—there were certainly some goals, I think that we could have prevented, but at the same time, we were awfully proud of the way they played.”

Throughout the weekend, Saipan Tribune caught up with the teams as they settled into their training routines.

For weightlifting, coach Greg Borja said, “Spirits are high as the athletes prepare for their competition. The camaraderie between our athletes and those from other island nations is unique, in that despite being rivals they are supportive and inspirational to each other.”

Angel San Nicolas arrived Saturday and Leowell Cristobal arrived yesterday just before the opening ceremony. Weightlifting starts today and ends on Nov. 24.

As for bodybuilding, athlete Christina Tudela said, “The training and facilities so far are good, especially since we established a workout and recovery routine that works well for us.”

With how she and teammate Davy Laxa are feeling, she said they are both anxious but eager to compete and get it done. “What we’re worried about most is pretty much our diet as our meals haven’t been accommodated and thus negatively impacting our nutrition,” she said. Bodybuilding is a one-day event on Nov. 27.

Athletics’ Greg Igineof said for them, their training is “not that bad. They gave us only an hour to do our training on the track and gym, but it’s better than nothing.” Sprinter Theodore Rodgers said that the track where they train, which is also the venue, is nice. “The blue track doesn’t stain our clothing. It’s very hot though because there’s no shade. The gym is very nice. There’s a lot of weights, water, and waiting space.” The team is now waiting for Nathania Tan who is set to arrive on Nov 24. Athletics is slated for Nov. 27 to Dec. 2.

Swimming’s coach Richard Sikkel said the team’s daily training has been coming on nicely and they’re excited for their first day of competition today. However, one team member, Michael Miller, fell ill the last couple of days but has visited the clinic a few times to get treated. He has since been feeling well and will attend the opening ceremony. On how to keep the team healthy, Sikkel said, “Well we had hoped to keep them all healthy, but we just need to continue to go to bed early and eat healthy.” Juhn Tenorio arrived last Friday. Swimming will run until Nov. 25.

For golf, Franco Santos said their training has been great. “Weather is very similar to Saipan which means the humidity is a factor to our game play as we are walking the entire course. We have been going to the driving range on a daily basis until our competition begins. The course is coming together. The staff is working hard to get the course to its best condition before the competition begins. Tomorrow, we start our actual practice round with the other countries. It’s going to be interesting as we will pair up with other countries during the practice rounds.” Golf is from Nov. 22 to 25.

Va’a’s manager/athlete Justin Andrew, for his team’s part, said that their training has been going well. “Thank God we came a little early because the team is now acclimated and getting used to the schedule. The venue is coming together—we’ve been there a couple of times… we have a young team here with us. I’m so glad we have a young team. They adapt very well and very quickly—so, I think we’ll do well.” Va’a is from Nov. 27 to Dec. 1.

Triathlon’s lone wolf Leo Wania said he trains with the swim team in the pool and he’s got to take a look at the bike and running route. Wania undertakes a 400m swim, then a 10km bike, and tops it off with a 2.5km run. Triathlon is scheduled from Nov. 29 to Dec. 1.

Beach volleyball’s two athletes, Andrew Johnson and Logan Mister, are coming in next week, but coach Tyce Mister and team manager Chris Nelson have already taken a look at the training grounds and venue. Beach volleyball is set from Nov. 27 to Dec. 2.