PNG’s team of 13 athletes scored one gold medal, five bronze, as well as a host of personal best times in the Philippine Open Championships which concluded on Sunday. In the full range of events in Open and Under 18 divisions, about 1000 athletes took part over four days with clubs from all over the country being joined by eight international teams including Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia. Athletics PNG President Tony Green commented that the competition was beneficial for the athletes. Elite athletes Daniel Baul and Benjamin Aliel had strong competition as did all the other senior athletes including Dilu Goiye, Siune Kagl , Robert Oa, and Karo Iga. Baul won gold in the 400m hurdles in 52.91 seconds with Sialis Passingan taking third with a personal best 53.55 and William Peka fourth (54.73), again demonstrating PNG’s depth in this event. Aliel won bronze in the 400m with a time of 47.97seconds. The competition was also a great experience for developing sprinter Patricia Kuku who won bronze in both 200m and 400m with personal best times in both events (25.53 and 57.88 seconds). Ray Kumala Heru won bronze in the 3000m steeplechase with a personal best time of 12min 16.75 seconds. Many other personal best performances were recorded, including Robert Oa in the 110m hurdles, Abel Siune, Monica Kalua and Ray Kumala Heru in 1500m, Denlyne Kinbangi in 200m, and Dilu Goiye in 10000m. Overall, it was a very challenging competition at the right level, that propelled the athletes to better performances.