Zarinae Sapong breaks 13-second barrier in 100m

Zarinae Sapong smiles for the camera after running the 100m dash in the 2022 World Athletics Championships yesterday in Eugene, Oregon. (CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)

The CNMI’s Zarinae Sapong ran a sub 13-second 100m dash in the 2022 World Athletics Championships yesterday in Eugene, Oregon.
The 2021 NMSA Female Athlete of the Year said running below 13 seconds is her personal best and was one of the goals she targeted in the World Athletic Championships.

“One of my major expectations in Oregon was to run sub-13 and beat my personal best. This was my last competition of the season so I’m super happy to be ending it with a new personal best,” she told Saipan Tribune through social media.

Sapong, who anchored the CNMI’s bronze-winning run in the women’s 4x100m relay in the Northern Marianas Pacific Mini Games 2022, said simply being back in the biggest athletics event in the planet is a blessing.

“I’m just grateful to be witnessing history being made. This World Championships is electric and every event is a must-see. Watching world-class jumpers, throwers, and runners in action is amazing.” 

She’s also thankful that she had a lot of supporters on the stands as Team NMI Run Saipan was encouraging her the entire time during the race.

“I was really excited to see the Run Saipan delegates in the stands, seeing them coming out and supporting me during my race was awesome.”

Sapong dedicated her superb run yesterday to her coach, Elias Rangamar, who for his part, said it was mission accomplished for his ward in the World Athletics Championships.

“We’ve been working at refining her technique the past few weeks and it’s paid off. I’m proud of her because she was injured just over six months ago where she can’t do much lifting or hard sprinting but kudos to the therapist that worked on her,” said the Northern Marianas Athletics developmental coach. 

Rangamar also said that it doesn’t take much for Sapong to accomplish her goals.

“Zari is self-motivated. She trains twice a day with 5am sessions and evening sessions. Her winning multiple athlete of the year awards is all testament to her hard work,” he said.

CNMI national coach Ron Snyder, meanwhile, said he’s happy for Sapong for her latest achievement.

“I am super excited for Zarinae breaking the 13- minute mark for the 100m. She has been trying to accomplish this for a while now and I am so happy for her meeting her goal. She is a great example of what hard work and persistence can achieve,” he said.