Connect with us

Running/Track

IIJIMA-MARTIN FIGHTS FOR TRIFECTA

Lack of sleep affects performance but not outcome

By Patrick Lujan

SAIPAN – She makes it look easy almost all the time, smiling throughout her races. This time, it was different.

Manami Iijima-Martin won the half marathon Saturday morning in the final event of the 2022 Pacific Mini Games, her third gold of the week, but not without serious mental and physical challenges.

With the event having a start time of 5:30 am, Iijima-Martin said it just wasn’t a good feeling from the beginning, feeling sluggish and not fresh because of her lack of sleep the previous two nights.

“I didn’t sleep well for two days and that caught up with me at about mile nine,” an exhausted Manami said. “I thought I got passed at the finish, but I didn’t. So all is well.”

On the way back to Micro Beach toward the finish, she even stopped for probably 30 seconds in exhaustion. As she crossed the finish line, she slowly fell to a turtle position in obvious pain beyond exhaustion.

“I think today felt harder than a Half Ironman. It was definitely because of the lack of sleep.”

Despite the sluggish performance (in her eyes), her awesomeness was still good enough to bring home the gold.

After taking the sprint triathlon on Monday and aquathlon on Wednesday in Luta, it’s time to get back home to be with her dogs.

Iijima-Martin will leave Saipan with more hardware added to her collection with her three gold. In the 2006 Micronesian Games, she scooped up 10 medals (7 gold) in swimming as a youngster before evolving into a pro triathlete.

Men’s Division

Ryan Matienzo came in 6th place at one hour, 19 minutes, 29 seconds. Matienzo said the front pack was super fast and he was just glad to catch up to some runners after the turn. Derek Mandell finished 12th at 1:28:18. Arthur Toves did not finish.

Manami Iijima-Martin congratulates Ryan Matienzo after he crossed the line in 6th place.

Tahiti stud Benjamin Zorgnotti took gold in 1:15:05.

The course started and finished at Micro Beach and ran along Beach Road with the turn by World Resort in Susupe.

The half marathon concludes athletic events for the Games with only the Closing Ceremonies left to wrap things up here in Saipan.

Ad

GPS Sports Calendar

November

December 2023

January
SU
MO
TU
WE
TH
FR
SA
26
27
28
29
30
1
2
Events for November

1st

Events for December

2nd

3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Events for December

3rd

Events for December

4th

Events for December

5th

Events for December

5th

No Events
Events for December

7th

Events for December

8th

Events for December

9th

10
11
12
13
14
15
16
Events for December

10th

Events for December

11th

Events for December

12th

Events for December

12th

No Events
Events for December

14th

Events for December

15th

Events for December

16th

17
18
19
20
21
22
23
Events for December

16th

No Events
Events for December

18th

Events for December

19th

Events for December

19th

No Events
Events for December

21st

Events for December

22nd

Events for December

23rd

24
25
26
27
28
29
30
Events for December

23rd

No Events
Events for December

24th

No Events
Events for December

25th

No Events
Events for December

27th

Events for December

27th

No Events
Events for December

29th

Events for December

29th

No Events
31
1
2
3
4
5
6
Events for December

30th

No Events

COMING SOON …

  • IIAAG Girls Basketball Playoffs

 

QUICK HITS

The Kings were crowned the Guam Amateur Baseball League champions, finishing the season undefeated.
——————————————————-
The Guam Smokin’ Hot women’s softball team captured first place in the Asia Cup Softball Championships 2023 in Bangkok, Thailand.

More in Running/Track