Perez wins women’s high jump gold for Tahiti

The Sol2023 Pacific Games women’s high jump final was larger than life at Honiara’s National Stadium on Wednesday night, as 15-year-old Teanavai Perez from Tahiti leapt to gold at a height of 1.63 metres.

Not far below was Papua New Guinea’s Rellie Kaputin, who claimed silver on 1.60 metres (with three fouls). Fiji’s Laisani Hacere achieved the same height, but her additional foul left her to settle for bronze.

Gold medallist Perez said: “I am very happy to win the gold medal and I thank my coach for this result. I am honoured to represent Tahiti.

“It’s clear that it was really competitive, and with good weather we ended it well.”

Perez added that she is looking forward to competing in upcoming Olympic qualifiers in France and hopes to continue representing Tahiti on the international stage.

Silver medallist Kaputin told the Pacific Games News Service: “I have been focusing on long jump for my meets in Paris, and I know I over worked myself by adding triple jump and long jump to my training. Regardless, I am proud to represent my country and add a medal from this event”.

Bronze medallist Hacere said she is determined to work harder for gold in the upcoming Oceania games in May 2024.

“My jump was good, unfortunately. I missed out on gold today. I will train hard for the Oceania (meet) and claim that gold next year,” she said.

The Oceania record in the women’s high jump still stands, having been set at 2.03m by Australia’s Nicola Olyslagers in September 2023.

By Delisha Koime and Frank Teho, Pacific Games News Service