Samoa's Curreen scoops first medal

Written by Mark Rabago - Saipan
Thursday, 26 June 2008
Aunese Curreen of Samoa was the first man to cross the finish line early yesterday morning in the 2008 Oceania Championships' Cross Country event at the Laolao Bay Golf Resort. (Dan Kimball) The 2008 Oceana Championships finally got going early yesterday morning with Samoa's Aunese Curreen bagging the first gold medal of the competition by winning the men's open 6-kilometer Cross Country held at the Laolao Bay Golf Resort. The 27-year-old 800m specialist upset 2006 Oceania Championships silver medalist Brendan Whelan of Australia by finishing strong and completing the race in 21:05. Whelan who led Curreen until the final 200m of the Cross Country came in four seconds behind the Beijing Olympics-bound Samoan in a time of 21:09, while Vanuatu's Sam Lavi collected the silver, clocking in at 21:14. The victory over Whelan, who is favored in the 5000m and half marathon, came as surprise for the mild-mannered Curreen. “I feel happy but I didn't expect to win the Cross Country. It's not my event. I just took part in the Cross Country because my coach and I thought it would be a good part of my training for the Olympics,” he said in an interview with the Saipan Tribune. “I stayed behind all the way and I just passed him maybe 200m to go. But I felt very strong the whole race. He specializes in Cross Country so it was a surprise for me that I beat him,” he added. Whelan, for his part, said he wasn't shocked that Curreen beat him in the Cross Country. “I wasn't surprised at all. He ran just behind me all the way. He's an 800m and 400m runner. He's going to the Olympics for the 800m. He always had a better finishing kick than I have. I should have tried to go out harder and try to burn him off but it didn't work. Silver medal last time and silver medal this time, but I'm looking forward to 5000m and half marathon,” he said. Comments (6) Subscribe to this comment's feed Well done written by Bunbobs, June 27, 2008 Keep up the good work Nese, you make us all proud!! congrats brother written by stivi, June 27, 2008 Malo lava Setefano le tauivi. Ua faia ele Alii mea silisili mo oe, ma e manumalo ai pea. Ia viia ai lo tatou tama oi le lagi. All the best for your remaining events and preparations for the Olympics. Just know that thousands of Samoans and loyal supporters hold you in high regards. Be humble and be persevere as always. blessings and prayers...manuia au taumafaiga malo uso written by Samoa fan, June 28, 2008 malo lava uso le faamalosi, e le galo oe i tatalo i taini uma, ia saga faamanuia Le Atua i ou laasaga o totoe, e le galo oe uso...manuia tele nisi laasaga o totoe aua le faamoemoe o lumanai...faamalosi uso ma ia faamuamua lou atunuu mo oe...alofaaga mo oe e le uma.... Good luck uso ALL THE BEST written by Family, June 29, 2008 You should know that you have done your country proud. Good luck to your Olympics campaign, whatever happens there, always know that you're truly a star in our eyes. You're making a stand and letting the whole world know that Samoa have got people like you who have the guts to do what you do. We wish you all the best, and keep that loto maualalo like you always have. We remember you from your running days from when you were a lil boy, doing your rounds at Lynns Take care and we love you. From your family, aiga, friends at Tanugamanono Faafetai lava le tapuai written by Aunese Curreen, June 29, 2008 E avea foi lenei avanoa taua e momoli atu ai lau faafetai i le mamalu o le atunuu e tusa ai ma talosaga ao alo atu i matou o fanau a le atunuu i taaloga e pei ona faia i Saipan i le vaiaso na sei mavae atu nei. O lo'o manuia uma lava i matou uma !!!!!!!!!!! Leai se faaletonu, lagona foi le mafanafana ao alo ai i taaloga ona a outou tatalo pau lava o se taumafaiga vaivai a au tamafanu aua lau tapuaiga Samoa pele. Alofa le Atua ma foia le malosi i le paia ma le loaloa o le tatou atunuu i soo se vaega o lenei lalolagi. Ma iao Willi Fong, Nanai faasavalu, Aunese Curreen ma le teama Samoa. Manuia fuafuaga o lenei vaiaso!!!!! Faamalo Aunese and team Samoa written by Jack, June 30, 2008 E ese le manaia o le faalogoina o faamanuiaina taumafaiga a alo o Samoa i soo se taaloga poo tauvaga. Faamalo le tauivi ma le manumalo i lau faagatama, ia manuia ia toega o taaloga i le team Samoa. Manatua o loo tapuai Samoa atoa i itu e fa o le lalolagi i a outou taumafaiga. Manatua lau aganuu ma e Faavae I Le Atua Samoa. Peace from Cali! Write comment Name Email Title Comment
Last Updated ( Thursday, 26 June 2008 )

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