CNMI to use 2023 Pacific Games as inspiration

The CNMI delegation to the 2023 Pacific Games in Honiara, Solomon Islands exceeded expectations and the head of the islands' sports body wants to use it as inspiration for future competitions.

"The number of NMI athletes and officials we were able to bring to the Solomon Islands and the solid showing that our team delivered in the 2023 Pacific Games will serve as an inspiration to us not just for our preparations and participation to next year's Micronesian Games in the Marshall Islands, but for all future regional and international competitions, " Northern Marianas Sports Association president Jerry Tan said.

"These will inspire us to continuously seek for more support from the government, the private sector, and other stakeholders, for the overall development of NMI sports."

Tan admitted that the CNMI doing well on the medal tally was just the icing on the cake in terms of the delegation's participation in the quadrennial event.

"We won medals, 13 medals, plus some national records and a Pacific Games record," he said.

"These are bonuses for us, something we did not expect. Our Team Marianas overachieved, resulting to the NMI earning its most gold medals (five golds) in the history of our participation to Pacific Games."

Ultimately, Tan said the athletes' performance didn't only boost the CNMI public's morale, but hopefully will persuade others to take up a healthier lifestyle.

"To top it all, the strong support that NMI sports get from all stakeholders goes back to the community, as we are able to encourage people to live an active and healthier lifestyle, open career and scholarship pathways for them, and develop leaders."

Tan said the CNMI initially wasn't supposed to send over 100 athletes and officials to Honiara. That all changed following the CNMI's success in the 2022 Northern Marianas Pacific Mini Games.

"When we had the Pacific Games Council general assembly on Saipan last year during the 2022 Northern Marianas Pacific Mini Games, the Solomon Islands organisers made a presentation about the expected number of participants from each country for the 2023 Pacific Games.

"NMI's number was 30 athletes and officials. I said, that can't be. We're coming to a close of successfully hosting the Mini Games with over 150 NMI athletes and officials and a record-breaking performance in the medal standings.

"I understand that in the past when the Pacific Games or mini games is held in the South Pacific, we tend to have a small delegation."

However, Tan said with the commitment from the athletes, coaches, and their national federations, and the strong support from the business community, NMSA was able have a charter flight to Solomon Islands.

"We sent 102 athletes and officials to the 2023 Pacific Games. That's the highlight of our participation to the 2023 Pacific Games. We're able to provide opportunities to compete and experience the uniqueness of the Pacific Games to more than 100 athletes and officials."

The CNMI's 13 medals in the Games were five gold, one silver, and six bronze medals.

Tan's own daughter, Tania, spearheaded the medal rush with two gold medals in the 5,000m and 10,000m runs, including the Pacific Games record in the former.

Swimmer Isaiah Aleksenko also bagged gold in the 200m butterfly, Christine Tudela earned gold in bodybuilding, and Ray Santos topped the snatch portion in the 55kg class of weightlifting.

Santos also went to earn a silver and bronze, while the other six bronze medals were won by the relay team in swimming (4x100m individual medley and 4x100m relay), Leowell Cristobal of weightlifting, and Logan Mister and Andrew Johnson of beach volleyball.