Omar to compete in World Indoor Championships in Moscow

Sprinter Tyrone Omar will soon embark in an exciting journey.

The 18-year-old student who broke the Micronesia Athletics Championships 200m record last December will be setting up his blocks at the starting line of the 60m race in the 11th IAAF World Indoor Championships in Moscow, Russia.

“It’s shorter…I’m better off the blocks,” he said, citing that his strength in the 100m sprint, which he normally competes in, is the start off. “I feel more comfortable in the start.”

The Championships will be held from March 10 to 12 featuring world-class athletes from the United States, Kenya, Japan, Sweden, Spain, and China, among the many others, and will serve as Omar’s first off-island track and field meet that he really has prepared for. He competed as part of the relay team in the South Pacific Mini Games last year while in Palau, where he suited up to play baseball.

“I’ve never raced indoor,” Omar said during an interview yesterday. “I feel excited. Hopefully the experience in Russia will benefit [me] for the Micronesian Games.”

The Marianas High School student, who also competes in basketball, said he had no problem in keeping his focus on athletics and his trip to Russia as coaches for the other sports were also very supportive and were encouraging him to work harder in track and field.

He added that his training since the MAC, where he won gold in the 200m sprint, silver in the 100m, and bronze in the medley relay, has been geared toward the 60m event he’ll be competing in. He’s been training six days a week under the guidance of coaches Elias Rangamar and Robin Sapong.

Omar will be accompanied by Rangamar, who will also serve as coach for the Oceania delegation. The two are expected to leave for Moscow on March 8 or March 9.

“This will give Tyrone the exposure and experience in running with the best in the world,” Rangamar said. “He’s very explosive off the blocks, and I doubt if he’ll win, but I’ll guarantee he won’t come in last. He’s pretty quick so he’ll do good.”

“While running against the best in the world, he’s going to watch, meet, and talk with some of the other athletes and hopefully pick up a few things,” Rangamar added.

The veteran coach echoed what Omar said about the meet prepping him for the Micro Games.

“The mental part is so important. He’ll be competing against the best in the world, then come to compete here…it’s going to give him more confidence,” he said.

The meet is also the first indoors event Rangamar will take part in, and the coach is looking forward to the learning experience.

“I’ll be able to see how indoor meets are run,” he said.

Rangamar said several countries that are members of Oceania would not be able to take part in the Championships as they are currently prepping for the Commonwealth Games, which will also be held on March in Melbourne, Australia.

He said about eight to nine athletes will make up the Oceania delegation.

Meanwhile, Sapong, who also serves as secretary general of Northern Marianas Athletics, said all is set for Omar and Rangamar’s trip, confirming that entry visas are all taken cared off.

He said the cost of Omar and Rangamar’s trip would be fully shouldered by Oceania Athletics Association.