Tudela, Tan golden in start of Week 2

HONIARA, Solomon Islands—Through trials and tribulations, bodybuilder Christina Tudela overcame it all and took home the first gold medal to start off Week 2 in the short-class Model Physique category of the one-day bodybuilding competition during the 2023 Pacific Games at the Maranatha Hall yesterday.

Meanwhile, middle distance runner Tania Tan put up with long travel times to get here, laced up her running shoes, and won gold in the start of athletics competitions yesterday as well at the National Sports Stadium. She came in with a time of 18:08.69, while silver was Papua New Guinea’s Scholastica Herman at 18:38.93, and bronze was New Caledonia’s Deborah Kaboer at 19:03.46.

Also adding to NMI’s medal haul yesterday was Davy Laxa who snagged bronze in the under 65-kg weight class yesterday as well. Gold was Solomon Islands’ Tome Kelesi and silver was Papua New Guinea’s Iso Finch.

For the bodybuilders’ experience, Tudela said “Any challenge you could possibly think of—those were thrown at us—from the minute we got here, the miscommunication, transportation, training venues, and diet accommodations… we had to basically fend for ourselves—pay for our taxi and food.”

She then thanked everyone they’ve met along the way that helped them from the time they got to the Solomons on Nov. 15.

Tudela added that in the prejudging in the morning, she was anxious because she just got her period the other day and felt bloated. “I felt like my physique wasn’t at its best form… but I just went out there and did my very best.”

She manifested the gold as even before the competition, she said she knew she was going to bring it home. On her gold medal win, she said, “I was so ecstatic because all the hard work paid off despite all the challenges and all the frustration—and literally me crying about not having food and then having to pay out of pocket for pretty much everything. It was so frustrating so it made this reward even sweeter.”

Laxa, for his part, said that his goal is to come back stronger next time. He had hoped more competitors were in his weight class but he’s glad to have represented CNMI and gone up against veteran bodybuilders, while he had just started last year.

He then especially thanked his girlfriend Mia Carreon and their daughter Dami for supporting him through it all, as well as Tudela and Benjamin Maratita, and his coach Jaivan Dela Pena who helped him in the final stages of his preparation and guided him while he was in the Solomons.

Coach Benjamin Maratita said of the athletes’ wins and the experience of the Games, “The biggest thing was adjusting to each of the athletes’ needs but also just their different types of training plans as well. We really tried to focus on that mindset of we’re coming in here, we’re working hard regardless of the environment, and really just kind of putting our foot down and showing everybody what the CNMI is about. So, I’m super proud of Christina and Davy has just got the bronze too. Congratulations again and biba CNMI!”

In other results, va’a’s V1 500m paddlers Jenisha Dubrall and Tyler Andrew didn’t make it to the finals.

Dubrall finished fifth with a time of 3:14.56 and Andrew also finished fifth at 2:52.47.

Most of the va’a athletes fell ill prior to their competition, but Dubrall and Andrew still showed up with heart and raced.

Dubrall said that her race was very difficult. “It was nothing like our practices because we usually paddle at 6am, so the wind conditions were much worse and kept picking up every hour. The lanes were also very crooked so I was very confused during my race.”

In the end, she said, “you either win or learn. Today I definitely learned a lot more about my sport and plan on bettering myself. Tyler and I will be doing every race which is v1 500m sprint (the one we did today) v6 500m and 1,500m sprint, v1 marathon (10 miles), and the v6 marathon (15 miles).”

For Andrew’s part, he said he was nervous and was also sick, therefore he didn’t feel 100% in his race. He said, “the conditions were so rough. Our race was against the wind and the waves, so it was a struggle to even make it past the 250-meter mark without being tired. I hope tomorrow is a lot calmer because it is the 500- and 1.500-meter races, and I do not plan on getting my team disqualified on our turns. Overall, I enjoyed my first day and first time racing in a big competition like this alongside some of the best paddlers out there.”

As for athletes’ well being and health, team chef de mission Nick Gross said, “Currently, guidance is to have any and sick individuals report to village policlinic for assessment. I’ll work on procuring masks ASAP and distribute to all managers. Isolation is impossible. Stay hydrated! Keep me updated and seek medical assistance village clinic when needed. Regarding competition…do our best to rise to the challenge. Those with sick minors, please keep parent/guardians informed. Wish we had a better plan but under the circumstances…”

As for tennis, they are out of contention as junior netter Nason Wessel lost his consolation round match yesterday morning.

Results of the other athletics events will be posted in the next issues of Saipan Tribune.

As of 7pm last night, NMI racked up a total of 11 medals—4 gold, 1 silver, and 6 bronze.