Pini is host country’s golden hero

PORT MORESBY – “Thank you Ryan Pini for being a great champion,” wrote Papua New Guinea’s daily newspaper the Post-Courier on its live online digital news site for the 2015 Pacific Games.

“Our Digital Team wish to thank our ‘Golden Fish’ Ryan Pini, MBE, for being a great champion for this country.”

Pini was handed the honour of male swimmer of the Pacific Games after winning seven gold medals and in the process breaking four Pacific Games records.

The 33-year-old is the most decorated athlete in the history of Papua New Guinea swimming having represented the nation at three Olympics and winning Commonwealth gold in the 100 butterfly at the 2006 Games.

Pini took gold in the men’s 50 (23.93) and 100 butterfly (53.42) as well as the 50 freestyle (23.10) and 100 backstroke (56.00) in games record time. He also took the 50 backstroke (26.14) and the 100 freestyle (50.63).

Pini joined teammates to earn the Pacific Games title in the 4 x 50 mixed freestyle relay.

“The feeling is very awesome, I couldn’t have asked for anything better than this,” Pini said of ending his fifth and final Pacific Games in front of his home fans. Though he continues to talk about his retirement, Pini is remaining non-committal about when he will finally hang up his swim cap and goggles – after such a strong Games effort.

“While this is my last Pacific Games, I’ll always be in the water,” Pini said. “If I’m still competing well, then I might do some Worlds, Masters, and things like that. I’ll be here. But this Pacific Games, the last one for me, is very special.”

Pini came out of retirement to swim in this 15th Pacific Games.

“Pini has carried the weight of this country in the Pacific Games, Commonwealth Games and in the Olympics,” the Post-Courier said.

“Every time his event comes on whether it is in the Commonwealth or the Olympics, PNG stops as a nation as they hope and watch their TVs. Now there will be no more Pini in these big events.”

With more than 20 gold medals in the South Pacific Games starting in 2003 to 2011, the team relay gold on the final night at the BSP Arena Aquatic Center was sweet and Pini ranks that gold medal win among the top achievements of his swimming career. Pini said: “Swimming on home ground and winning gold is right up there with the Commonwealth Games gold medal.”

He later posted on his Facebook page: “The end result on a huge challenge getting back into the sport of swimming. A huge, huge thanks for all the help and support from everyone.

“Now I get to spend time watching Team PNG for the rest of the games as we host the best Pacific Games before flying out to the World champs in Kazan.”

Lara Grangeon of New Caledonia earning the Best-Performing Female swimmer at the Games.

Grangeon, who competes for France internationally as New Caledonia is a French territory, won eleven gold and broke five games records in individual events over the past six days.