Carpenter Who Runs Against Bolt

Beijing (PNA/Xinhua) — Maybe he is the fastest-running carpenter.

It was no surprise when 21-year-old Beouch Ngrichongor disappeared from live coverage screen after 100 meters in a men’s 200m heat at the world athletics championships. It was a predictable result, given the fact that his personal best record was 2.85 seconds slower than the slowest competitor in his heat.

However, it was not a failure at all.

He was the last to reach the finish, but 23.93 seconds was enough for him to refresh his personal best record.

“I feel confident, never feel negative,” said Ngrichongor.

Ngrichongor wasn’t a professional athlete. In fact, he is a carpenter in Saipan, the largest island of the Northern Mariana Islands.

Since the island with a population of over 50,000 has not been recognized as a member by the International Olympic Committee, the athletics worlds is the highest possible stage for a Saipan track and field athlete.

“It’s a motivation, that’s all we need in running,” said Ngrichongor about his feeling of running alongside world-class stars such as Usain Bolt.

“I was amazed. Should I meet him? Maybe after the competition.”

Ngrichongor picked up running as an 11-year-old middle school student. He had travelled to Cook Island, Fiji, Tahiti and Australia, and Beijing is the farthest place for him to run a race.

“Eight or 10 hours,” said Ngrichongor about the travelling time from his island to China.

“When I was in middle school, I kept thinking I wanna make it to the world championships,” said him. “Then I made it here, and it was an honor.”

Ngrichongor was training without a coach at the moment. He gets up at 5 am to take a little bit of training before heading for his carpentry work. Usually he may end his work and 6 pm, and he takes another training session after that.

1500 meters was his first try. He was best on 400 meters, but 200 meters is the only event he can run in Beijing. His long-term goal was to break the national record, and 23.93 seconds was a good start.

“I will go to celebrate,” said Ngrichongor.

“Then I will go to Korea and Guan. Stay there for one day, and go back.”

The Northern Mariana Islands is the host country for 2021 Pacific Mini Games, a event highly expected for Ngrichongor.

Ngrichongor had a brother working in the United States, and he planned to go for his brother to find better training environment on the other shore of the ocean.

“I will go back to my island and represent it,” he said. (PNA/Xinhua) CTB/RSM