Words: Bob Snow OAA Statistician
The Decathlon was full of hope and expectation for the two Australians who were world ranked. Ashley Moloney and Daniel Golubovic had not yet qualified for the Paris Olympic Games, but were getting close. They were both after the 170 bonus points which were on offer at this Championship.

Ash Moloney won the event with 8182 points with Daniel Golubovic amassing 8002 points. Once the bonus points have been added to their result, then it is a matter of time before they know if they are on the Team Australia flight to Paris. At this stage about four weeks from the performance deadline, both athletes are “in with a chance” of qualifying. Stressful for both them, their coaches and family.

Good to see some new names willing to give the demanding Decathlon a go and start building their career in a new event.

Fiji’s Waisale Inoke scored 5979 points, which would have won him the bronze medal in the Pacific Games in Honiara in November last year.

In that competition Max Teuruaa (COK) came 4th with 5127 points. Here in Suva, a little more than six months later he scored 5766 points – a huge improvement in a short time. How good will he be by the next Championship!