Pini wins historic gold for PNG

MELBOURNE, Mar 20 (Reuters) Ryan Pini made swimming history for Papua New Guinea by winning gold in the Commonwealth Games men's 100 metres butterfly today.

Pini, who moved from Port Moresby to Brisbane five years ago in order to train in safety, shocked even himself by claiming only his country's second gold since its Games debut in 1962.

''It was unbelievable just to see the flag being raised,'' he told Reuters after edging out Australia's Michael Klim to win in 52.64 seconds.

''I was just stunned. Towards the end I was hurting so much. I just wanted to get to the end.'' Pini's journey to Commonwealth Games gold has been a difficult, and at times dangerous, one.

Crumbling facilities were just one of the obstacles amid a turbulent political climate. Criminal gangs roaming the streets of the capital Port Moresby brought further risks.

''Security-wise you had to always be careful,'' Pini said.

''There was just a lot of trouble trying to get to the pool. It's even a bit more scary now.

''You just have to know when to go and when not to go.'' Pini relocated to Australia to continue his training as the the facilities at home were run down, he said.

''The pool would be closed because of lack of funding and a lack of chlorine, so you kind had to find a new pool to swim in.'' Pini assured himself of hero status back home after bringing Papua New Guinea its first gold since Geua Tau won a women's lawn bowls title at the 1990 Auckland Games.

''I'm very, very surprised with the result and so happy,'' smiled Pini. ''There's a lot of family and a lot of people back home in PNG in watching.

''I just wanted to try and do them proud and do myself proud.

It's going to be so huge. I can't wait to get back there and show off my medal.'' Reuters DH DB1837