Jordan Evans-Tobata Photo: Supplied: NZOC
Dunedin based Jordan Evans-Tobata is set for an emotional reunion with her father when she represents New Zealand at the Pacific Games later this month in the Solomon Islands.
Evans-Tobata has a busy schedule of four events on her schedule - 400m, 800m, 4x100m and 4x400m relay - during the five-day track programme which runs from November 27 to December 1 in Honiara.
At the event the 19-year-old Otago university student will be make her international debut and also seeing her Solomon Islands based father, Walebarasialia (Wale), for the first time in nine years.
"As soon as I found out the event was in the Solomon Islands I expressed an interest in competing and I was delighted when I was selected,' said Evans-Tobaba.
"My sisters and I intended on flying over to the Solomon Islands the other year but Covid put a stop to that, so it is very exciting that my dad and other family, who I haven't seen for a long time, will get the chance to see me run."
She took up athleteics with Caversham Harrier and AC through her elder sister, Sydney.
Evans-Tobata soon discovered a talent for the sport going on to win Colgate Games medals in the 400m and 800m.
Specialising largely as a 400m sprinter she achieved a personal best last year 57.86 seconds to win bronze at the New Zealand secondary schools track champs in Inglewood.
"I was unsure of where I stood because before that event, I'd only done a few local races and my prior season was disrupted with a minor stress fracture of the foot," she said.
"I didn't know how I'd perform against those girls with the fast times so to finish third was a big confidence boost."
At the national track and field champs in Wellington in March, she finished fifth in the women's U20 400m final and in more recent months she has fine-tuned her preparations for the Pacific Games.
Expected to face temperatures in excess of 30C in Honiara - quite different to what she has experienced in Dunedin over recent months - she took the advice of Paralympic javelin champion Holly Robinson to spend time in the sauna to aid her preparation.
"Once or twice a week I've spent 50 minutes after each training session in the sauna," says Jordan.
"I didn't like them at first but over time I've learned to love it."
"For the 400m I'm in close to PB shape. I've performed locally here in Dunedin and ran well in some bad conditions, so I'm hoping to make the final and see what happens.
"I haven't competed in 800m for a wee while. I have done a few time trials and backed off a bit running the longer distances. I don't want to put myself under too much pressure, but I'd like to go 2:15 or faster."
Weightlifter David Liti will be the New Zealand team flagbearer at the Pacific Games in Solomon Islands. Photo: Supplied: NZOC
About the New Zealand Team for the Solomon Islands 2023 Pacific Games
The Pacific Games will take place between November 19 and December 2 in the Solomon Islands.
The Games are a quadrennial multi-sport event which celebrates sport and Pacific culture.
5,000 participants (including athletes, technical officials and support staff) from 24 Countries will compete across 24 sports at the Games.
The New Zealand Team will be made up of 45 athletes competing across archery, athletics, boxing, Para table tennis and weightlifting.
The archery and boxing competitions in Honiara are qualifying opportunities for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, while the weightlifting and athletics competitions are part of wider qualification opportunities for the Games.