Sixteen nations competed in the third Oceania Athletics Championships, including the Federated States of Micronesia who had been admitted to the IAAF (now World Athletics) earlier in the year. There were 42 events contested with 22 for men and 20 for women.
The outstanding athlete of the meet was Tonga’s Siulolo Liku who won the 100m, 100m Hurdles Hurdles, Triple Jump and was second in the Long Jump.
Fellow Tongan, Toluta’u Koula won the 100m in the time of 10.56 – which is still the Tongan national record 26 years later.
Fiji won the Men’s 4 x 100m Relay and PNG took the honours in the 4 x 400m Relay. New Zealand won both of the Women’s Relays.
Many athletes won two gold medals – Mark Turner (AUS – 800m & 1500m), Primo Higa (SOL – 10000m and 3000m Steeplechase), Renee Robson (AUS – 200m & 400m), Salome Tabuatalei (FIJ – 1500m & 5000m) and Raylene Bates (NZL – Shot & Discus)
Overall, 12 nations won medals with New Zealand and Australia dominating the medal tally.
New Zealand won 14 gold, Australia 12 with both Fiji and Tonga 5 each.
In the third outing of this championships, it is getting a little more difficult to achieve a Championship Record. In Townsville, however, a total of 11 events saw new records set.
The Junior Championships was held in conjunction with the Senior Division, with a total of 35 events – 18 for men and 17 for women. Australia totally dominated the medal tally winning 24 gold, and New Zealand was second with 6 gold.
Those athletes who won two events were – Melissa Toigo (AUS – 100m & Long Jump), Alana Weir (AUS – 400mH & Triple Jump), Wagui Anau (AUS – 100m & 200m), Chris Votu (SOL – 1500m & 3000m Steeplechase).
