‘Has-beens’ share great experience in Oceania Championships

At 80 years old, the CNMI’s Jeanne Rayphand was the oldest competitor in the Oceania Athletics Masters Championships that was held from June 22 to 26 at the Oleai Sports Complex track and field.(LEIGH GASES)

The masters athletes who participated in the Oceania Athletics Masters Championships from June 22 to 26 were challenged, but overall had a great experience in their run, jump, and throwing events at the Oleai Sports Complex track and field.

They showed that old age doesn’t preclude you from competing and putting yourself out there on the big stage against not just your home islands—but against other islands as well.

The age range for the championships ranged from 30 years old to the oldest competitor at 80 years old.

The CNMI’s Jeanne Rayphand was the oldest competitor and didn’t let the hot and humid Saipan summer or her age stop her from putting on a show for spectators.

She raced as fast as she could through the 60m event to bring home her first gold medal and also made her way around the track for another gold in the 10,000m race/walk event.

Rayphand said that the competition “was a challenging and fun experience, particularly meeting other competitors.” She added with a laugh, “Being the oldest competitor was funny and everyone was so nice and considerate and tolerant of my slowness.”

She left this tidbit of advice for those older people wanting to keep fit or even wanting to compete, “One, it’s never too late; and two, keep walking, don’t stop, and get guidance from an experienced trainer and coach each step of the way toward developing competition skills.”

The 80-year-old then thanked John Davis, president of the CNMI Weightlifting Federation, for her current health and ability to participate in these competitions. “Many years ago he trained, coached, guided me to first walk and then jog and eventually run some distances, something I had not done since sixth grade,” she said.  

Sheila Isla, who competed in the 40-44 age group, hauled in two gold and four bronze medals.

For her first international competition and as an older athlete, she said she is grateful to have been a part of it and given a chance to represent Team NMI. “I’m so grateful to be able to compete in these events that need strength, determination, and perseverance.”

She said her personal favorite and personal best race was the 1,500m and said that running everyday since Jan. 1 helped her a lot in the competition.

The competition, she said, “was a friendly and fair play competition for all the masters athletes because of each age category for men and women. It’s a well-organized competition.” 

She then thanked Oceania Athletics Association president Robin Sapong, Oceania Masters president Ruth Mave, and Run Saipan president Edward Dela Cruz Jr. for their hard work, Dr. Ron Snyder for the encouragement, and to all the officials, organizers, and volunteers for their dedication and hard work. “Your contributions behind the scenes are essential. Special thanks to my family, co-workers and friends who supported me.

Nick Gross, who is no stranger to competition and a life-long athlete, said that he had a great experience all around. Not only did he compete in the Masters Championships, he also competed in the concurrent Oceania Cup.

He said, “Having the opportunity to host athletes from 23 different countries and compete with and witness these incredible athletes was awesome!” 

He added, “On a personal note, in the masters events, it is really a good time as your times and distances are measured against your peers in the same five-year window. Overall, we had a blast and look forward to building our Masters capacity throughout the NMI.”

Gross said of the competition and with competing against other masters athletes, “The masters events are unique in that it allows older, has-been athletes, the opportunity to compete and enjoy the benefits of competition… even when the distances and times are not always that incredible, although there were some great performances from many of the NMI masters group.”

James Lee, who hasn’t participated in any track and field events since the 2002 Micro Games, said that he had a great experience in this Oceania Masters Championship and that it was like going down memory lane.

He said on what was his favorite event that he joined, “It was really fun to be able to participate in all the events that I did but if I have to choose then the sprints for both 60m and 100m would be it. I wish I had the chance to train for it though just to see how I can really perform. Next time.”

Competing against other athletes who have competed in the sport their whole life was an honor, he added and said that it motivated him to come back to the sport and compete again. He thanked everyone who put the event together and said jokingly, “I want to thank Robin [Sapong] for giving me a call to participate a week before the event. Next time at least give me a month so I can train a little for it. Joking aside, thank you Robin, Ed [Dela Cruz], and coach Eli [Rangamar].