BY JOHN HOUANIHAU
WITH the 2023 Pacific Games set for 19 November to 2 December 2023 in Honiara. Solomon Islands long-distance runner, Simon Biru aims to add to the 40 gold medals target set by the National Hosting Authority.
Speaking to RAW SPORTS about his early preparation, Simon, 26 said he aims to win a gold medal for the country, “My dream for the 2023 Pacific Games is to win a gold medal,” he said. “I want to become one of the medal winners and to contribute to the 40 medals which are our country’s target.”
He said that over the past months he had learned a lot about himself and about others and what he can do to improve his strength and fitness on the tracks.
“Now, I’m looking forward to training hard and getting selected in this year’s final athletics squad to prepare and compete at the upcoming 2023 Pacific Games in Honiara.
Simon from Guadalcanal province scooped a gold medal in the 5000m event and a silver medal in the 1500m for Nguvia Community High School at the 2021 National Secondary High School Games in Honiara.
He emerged as a top long-distance runner in the track event at the High School Games and got selected by the Athletic Solomons to be part of the athletics training squad for the 2023 Pacific Games in Honiara.
The young athlete made his debut appearance at the Northern Marianas Mini Games early this year.
“I competed in half marathon and 3000 steeplechase events. I did not manage to win a medal but I am happy because I did well in my personal best, a good experience for me,’’ he told RAW SPORTS.
Simon also competed at this year’s 2022 Athletes Trial Championship that was organized by the Solomon Islands Institution of Sports (SINIS) at the new training tracks in King George IV, East of Honiara to select potential track athletes to train under the high-performance program.