Roligat: ‘I got the drive for more’

Sprinter Darrel Roligat is finally on home soil after spending more than a month away from Saipan competing in three international events.

Fresh from impressive outings at the IAAF World Youth Championships in Morocco, the 2005 Palau South Pacific Mini Games, and the IAAF World Championships in Helinski, Finland, the 16-year-old Chalan Lau Lau resident explained that he still yearns for more and will continue to put in the necessary work and effort in hopes of improving for future regional and international competitions.

“I am more confident now and I am really motivated because I’ve already faced the best in my age group, the best in the region, and the best in the world,” he said during an interview yesterday. “I sort of tasted those and I see where I stand and know that I am competitive with them.”

Roligat began his summer journey by shattering his CNMI Junior Record in the 100m with a time of 11.4 in Morocco. He then posted his second best time—11.6 seconds—while in Palau, then bettered that mark by running for 11.49 seconds in the World Championships—a faster time than six other competitors despite nursing an injured toe.

“After all the three, I just want to experience more and more,” he said. “I understand that I have to work harder so that I can improve and see where this [athletics] can take me.”

Roligat added that his understanding of the sport has grown over the past month, citing that his exposure to international competition has enabled him to accept that he could not clock in his best time or break it each time he sets foot on the track.

“I was not far from the rest—at Youth and Worlds,” he said. “The two really big ones I did really well in. I did okay in Palau…it was slower than in Morocco and I know I could’ve done better, but I understand I can’t run the same time all the time.”

“Now I feel that I’ve grown, especially because of the help of coach [Elias Rangamar] and I learned a lot, so I’m just going to work on all the little things to try to prevent any mistakes,” he added.

Roligat now sets his eyes on the Micronesian Cup, which will be held this December, and the Micronesian Games next summer.

“I think with all the experience, and all the corrections that coach will help me with, I’ll be in better shape mentally and physically for those,” he said. “I know that accidents can happen at anytime…I’m going to be really careful.”

Roligat said instead of thinking about medalling or breaking a record when he sets himself on the starting blocks, he remains focused on what he needs to do throughout the short-speedy race.

“I’m not thinking much of medals…I do that a little, but not before my race because if I do that, I might get sidetracked and make a mistake,” he said. ‘I just try to keep focus, run my own race, and see what happens after that.”

“By the time I get to the starting blocks, I should be ready. That’s why there’s so much effort in practice. By the time the race comes, you don’t think of what you needs to change about anything from your last event. That should’ve been taken cared off already and you just got to be ready.”

Roligat also expressed appreciation to all the CNMI delegates at the Mini Games and his parents for their support, and most especially coach Rangamar for his efforts in guiding him through his young career.