NMI athletes shine in Oceania Athletics Cup and Masters Champs

The NMI athletes that competed at the 2025 Oceania Athletics Cup and Masters Championships in Tonga held from Oct. 29-Nov. 1, put on an exceptional performance, with NMI athletes representing Team Micronesia and the NMI Masters team earning medals, breaking records, and proudly carrying the NMI flag on the regional stage once again.

Representing Team Micronesia in the Oceania Athletics Cup, runners Tania Tan and Simon Tang, and thrower Maria Quitugua, who are no strangers to regional competition, showcased determination and team spirit across their respective events, and—just like clockwork, Tan broke two national records again—this time in the 1,500m with a time of 5:00.76, and a personal best and national record in the 3,000m with a time of 10:29.42.

Meanwhile, Tang competed in the men’s 110m hurdles, placing sixth with a time of 16.65 seconds, and in the mixed 4x400m relay with a time of 4:07.31. For Quitugua, she competed in the women’s javelin throw and threw a distance of 36.10m for fifth place.

In the concurrent Masters Championships, the NMI Masters team also had a strong showing, bringing home several medals—five gold, three silver, and one bronze. Krista Hawley hauled in gold in the W55-59 5,000m at 24:07.97, the 100m at 16.39 seconds, the 200m at 34.39 seconds, the 60m at 10.43 seconds, and the 400m at 1:22.21. Meanwhile, James Munnis III bagged medals in the M60-64 middle and long-distance events—silver in the 800m 2:48.56, 1,500m at 5:38.72, and 5,000m at 21:42.27.

The bronze medal was earned in the M50 60m at 9.59 seconds by Oceania Athletics president and Northern Marianas Athletics’ general secretary Robin Sapong.

Making up Team Micronesia were athletes from the CNMI, Guam, Palau, Kiribati, and Nauru, and after the whirlwind four-day event of Pacific unity, pride, and passion for all things athletics, Team Australia claimed this year’s Oceania Athletics Cup with 231 points. Second place was Team Melanesia with 183 points, and Team Polynesia rounded up the Top 3 with 173.50 points. Team Micronesia finished seventh out of eight teams with 93 points.

The Oceania Athletics Cup, hosted in Tonga under the presence of His Royal Highness Prince Tupout‘oa Ulukalala and Prime Minister ‘Aisake Valu Eke, brought together teams from across the Pacific—including Melanesia, Polynesia, Micronesia, Australia, New Zealand, Regional Australia, Hawai‘i, and Tonga—in what became a true celebration of Pacific unity and athletic excellence.

In Tonga, Sapong said in his speech, “The Oceania Cup is more than a competition; it’s a celebration of friendship, culture, and shared purpose through sport.”

NMA then extended its congratulations to all NMI athletes and thanked the Oceania Athletics Association and the Kingdom of Tonga for their hospitality in hosting a successful and unforgettable championship. “We are immensely proud of all our athletes who represented the Northern Marianas and Micronesia with distinction,” said Sapong. “Their success in Tonga reflects not only their individual commitment but also the progress of our athletics development programs and the power of regional collaboration.”

For Tan, the meet was especially memorable. “I actually didn’t know I set a new NMI record until a few hours later,” she said. “There was no timing clock on the track and the results weren’t loading after the race, so I didn’t even know. My goal was to run under five minutes, and I just fell less than a second short. Still, I’m proud to come away with a new PR and a national record.”

She added, “I knew our team needed as many points as possible, so I just gave it everything. Time didn’t matter, but I was lucky to come away with another national record,” she said.

Reflecting on her success, Tan credited her consistency and the support of her training circle in Hawai‘i. “It’s been hard to find a track to use, but I’m so grateful for my friends who let me join their training sessions. Without them, I don’t think I’d be able to break all these records.”

As for competing with Team Micronesia, and not just as Team NMI, she said, “It’s been nice to compete as one whole Micronesian team. Usually, we’re competing against each other, so it’s special to finally be one—cheering and supporting each other,” she said. “We might be the smallest region in the Pacific, but everyone gave it their all this week for the team. I’m proud of how we did as a whole, no matter the result.”