Pais Wisil, a 24-year-old athlete from Papua New Guinea, broke a 30-year-old national record in the 100m sprint with a time of 10.24 seconds, surpassing Peter Pulu’s previous record of 10.40 seconds. Wisil is preparing for the World Indoor Championships and received praise for his dedication from coach Tony Fairweather and Athletics PNG president Tony Green, who highlighted Wisil’s potential for future success in the sport.
Papua New Guinea has crowned a new fastest man, Pais Wisil, who broke a 30-year-old national record in the 100-meter sprint by clocking 10.24 seconds at the Queensland State Titles in Brisbane. This new record surpasses Peter Pulu’s previous benchmark of 10.40 seconds. Wisil, 24, is the younger brother of Toea Wisil, the renowned former national women’s sprint champion, who holds the women’s record in the 100m (11.29 seconds) along with the best times in the 200m and 400m.
In preparation for the upcoming World Indoor Championships in Nanjing, China, coach Tony Fairweather strategically placed Wisil in the B division of the 100m race against Rohan Browning, a prominent Australian sprinter. This decision aimed to provide Wisil with valuable competition experience while saving him from running heats and semifinals. Although Browning won the race with a time of 10.12 seconds, Wisil’s performance indicated his potential.
Athletics PNG president Tony Green praised Wisil’s achievement, emphasizing that it not only establishes a new national record but also positions his performance among the best by athletes from the Pacific Islands. According to the World Athletics scoring tables, Wisil’s time translates equivalently to a 400m sprint of 45.80 seconds, garnering 1,125 points.
This performance marked a significant milestone as it elevated Wisil’s status above Mowen Boino’s previous men’s national record of 50.37 seconds in the 400m hurdles, which was worth 1,112 points. Fairweather acknowledged Wisil’s relentless dedication to training, attributing his success to hard work and perseverance. He mentioned Wisil’s near-record run of 10.32 seconds in Canberra, highlighting how factors such as wind readings can affect record validation.
Fairweather expressed confidence in Wisil’s capabilities, noting his potential to become a prominent figure in sprinting alongside his sister. He hopes that Wisil can secure sponsorship to further his development as an elite athlete. Following the race, Green personally congratulated Wisil and wished him success in the World Indoor Championships, confirming his travel to Nanjing alongside other Pacific athletes. Although Wisil’s impressive 60m time would have qualified him for the championships, his entry has already been made through quota allocation, ensuring his participation in the event.
Pais Wisil has set a remarkable new national record in the 100m sprint, showcasing his potential as a leading athlete for Papua New Guinea. His achievements underscore the importance of dedication in training as he aims for success at the World Indoor Championships. Wisil’s performance has not only broken long-standing records but has also raised expectations for future accomplishments. With support and sponsorship, he could solidify his position as a top contender in international athletics.
Original Source: www.thenational.com.pg
