ARAFURA Games

The second set went all the way (26-24) but the veteran's held off the young ones.

The Men’s side made it to Round 16.

Meanwhile, Vanuatu took three teams to the tournament that was held in Australia.

Nakat won a silver medal in the 800m event.

The teenager and his colleague, Niara arrived at White Grass Airport Thursday morning to a big crowd of relatives and friends.

They were also welcomed at the airport by representatives of the Tafea Provincial Government Council, Ministry of Youth and Sports, Department of Women’s Affairs and Families.

Families shared hugs and tears of joy when the duo entered the terminal entrance.

People waved and students drew flowers along the road as the tea travelled through Isangel to the Lamenu Stadium.

The team lost to Lampard/Landers of Australia 0-2 in their final pool round match today.

The team made up of Joshua Toares and Stivano Bango won their second match 2-0 against 1st B.

They won their first match against Australia (2) earlier on Wednesday.

Vanuatu women’s team on Miller Pata and Henriette Iatika won their match against Northern Territory 2-0.

Photo Vanuatu Beach Volleyball Facebook 

Joshua Toares and Stivano Banga beat their opponents and hosts Australia (2) by 2-0.

Their next match is scheduled at 4.20pm (ACST).

Vanuatu has three beach volleyball teams competing   in the Arafura Games.

The other team is made up of Miller Pata and Henriette Iatika and the third team has Maybel Ravo and Sherysyn Toko.

Photo supplied 

The para athlete from Tanna, a small island in the south of the Vanuatu archipelago, had never run in shoes, let alone on a synthetic track, until he came to Darwin for the Arafura Games 2019.

In fact, he’d never been in a lift or a plane, seen a multi-storey building, ridden an escalator, or visited a shopping centre until he was selected to compete along with four other athletes from Vanuatu.

Toto of Penama Province was selected after she applied to be a part of the Games.

“To tell the truth, I feel very excited because I did not expect for this to happen, because there have been plenty of other big tournaments which had happened in Asia, Korea and other parts of the country that I did not felt like submitting an application to officiate during those past tournaments. But for this event I feel confident in officiating the matches and I am so happy for being accepted as an Official at the Arafura Games which is a very big honour," Toto said.

David Niare and Mathias Nakat have been selected as top 2 from other Para athletes to join with other para athletes in Port Vila to travelled to Australia for the games.

David will be competing in the Throwing Event- Shotput and Javeline while Mathias will compete un the 100M and 200M running event.

The two participants have confirmed that this will be there first time to participate in such game and a first time to experience travelling overseas.

"We are hoping for the best results", they said.