Taea breaks her national record

The disappointment of missing out on a medal in the Wallis and Futuna Pacific Mini Games women’s 100m sprint finals for national sprinter Patricia Taea was soothed by her setting a new national record.

The 20-year old sprinter came second in the women’s 100m heats to qualify for the finals of the event alongside some of the Pacific’s fastest women including Queen of the track – Toea Wisil of PNG.

Taea placed 5th overall in a time of 12.29 to smash her old national sprint record of 12.36.

Taea clocked the identical time as the 4th place getter however placing was decided on a 1000th of a second.

Wisil of PNG won the gold medal in a blistering time 11.36.

Taea says that lining up for her heat race, she felt prepared.

“I wanted to cruise in my heat because I knew who I was racing against and I didn’t want to go all out and use up my energy before the finals,” says Taea.

“I had a good feeling I would qualify.”

Lining up alongside the Pacific’s fastest women – commentators informed spectators of the women to note in the line up.

Taea was named as one of the women to watch in the race.

“I did feel proud,” says Taea of receiving the mention.

Taking off from the blocks Taea says she gave it her all.

“I didn’t think of anything or anyone – I really wanted a medal.”

She adds that despite being disappointed with missing out on a medal – she is stoked to have set a new national women’s 100m sprint time.

She would like to thank all her supporters at home and abroad for their support for her fellow Team Cook Islands members for being at Kafika Stadium to cheer her on.

Looking ahead –Taea will return to the Regional Development Centre on the Gold Coast of Australia where she has been training for the past 8 months.

Taea has already qualified for the 2014 Commonwealth Games which she will continue training for and preparing for qualifying events for the 2016 Rio Olympics.