Calab Law of Australia wins men’s 100m final

Australia’s Calab Law won the Sol2023 Pacific Games men’s 100m final on Tuesday evening with an impressive time of 10.40 seconds at Honiara’s National Stadium.

A dramatic attempted start of the race saw the disqualification of PNG’s medal hopeful Leeroy Kamau after a false start from lane 4.

When the sprint finally took place, Law silenced the large Honiara crowd when he took control from the beginning and finished ahead of his fellow countryman Lachlan Kennedy, who had to settle for silver with a time of 10.49. Finishing behind him for bronze was Johnny Key of Samoa in 10.72 seconds.

“It means a lot to come here and be able to run well,” Law told the Pacific Games News Service. “Four years is a long time, so we’ll see,” he added, when asked about whether he’d return to the next Pacific Games to defend his title.

The absence of Samoa’s Jeremy Dodson, who was the silver medallist in this event at the Samoa 2019 Pacific Games but pulled a hamstring in Monday’s semi-final, meant his countryman Key was even more delighted to secure the third spot on the podium.

Key told the Pacific Games News Service: “I was encouraged by my ‘brother’ Jeremy during my warm-ups not to fear them (the Australians) but to run my own race and I would be fine.

“This is just the beginning of me competing in the Pacific Games. I will work hard and want to be the fastest man in the Pacific in four years’ time.”

Most of the athletes who took part in the 100m race will return to action in the 200m preliminary finals on Wednesday, with the final set for Friday afternoon at the National Stadium.

By Donaldson Saepioh, Pacific Games News Service