Isaiah 62:4 / Psalm 118:8 The Heart of PNG’s Next Generation in Athletics
I’m Hephzibah Sharon Romalus, a 16-year-old aspiring track and field female athlete, driven
by a passion for pushing boundaries and reaching new heights. Athletics runs in my blood;
my grandfather, Peter Tavip, was part of PNG’s first National Athletics Team. His legacy
inspires me every day to carry on the spirit of dedica
tion, resilience, and pride in representing
our nation on the track. My Journey in PNG Athletics:
Since starting my athletics journey in 2022 as a 14 year old grade 9 student of Lae Secondary
School, I’ve competed in the 2023 and 2024 under 16 and 18 girls' 100m, 200m and relay
categories respectively during the Momase Highlands Regional Athletics championships held
at the National Sports Institute in Goroka, Eastern Highlands Province. I have also competed
at PNG's National Athletics Championships twice and recently debuted at the 17th Oceania
Athletics Championships which was held in Suva, Fiji. These experiences have not only built
my skills but deepened my commitment to my sport. Each race, every jump, is a step towards
my ultimate goal: representing Papua New Guinea internationally and showing the world
what we’re capable of. As a current national junior short-distance runner and high jumper with a personal best of
1.50m set at the Oceania’s women’s high jump under 18s category, I am proud to train with
my fellow Provincial athletes of the Regional High-Performance Centre of Excellence here in
Lae City. As a team member of the Papua New Guinea's under 18 girls’ athletics team, we’re
both driven to elevate PNG’s name in junior Athletics. Balancing Academics and Athletics:
Currently in Grade 11 at Lae Secondary School, I am dedicated to excelling academically
while training intensively. Balancing these commitments isn’t easy, but I believe that my
efforts in both the classroom and on the track will shape me into a well-rounded athlete and
individual. I hope to inspire other young people in PNG to pursue their passions, work hard,
and dream big. My journey as an athlete is rooted in the values of hard work, discipline, and a deep sense of
community. As a young Papua New Guinean with big dreams, I aim to be a role model,
especially for young girls, showing them that with focus and determination, and God’s grace,
they too, can break barriers. Partnering with me means joining hands to champion youth
empowerment, celebrate national pride, and invest in a brighter future for young PNG female
athlete. I envision a future where PNG’s athletes compete confidently on the world stage, and I’m
determined to play a role in bringing that vision to life. With the support of corporate
partners, I believe I can take my training and performance to new levels, becoming a proud
ambassador for PNG’s athletic potential. Below is my Next College Student Athlete (NCSA) Profile account :
https://recruit-match.ncsasports.org/clientrms/athletes/12489566
During the 2023 PNG Air National Age Track & Field Championships – The Post Courier
Sports covered the Morobe Centre of Excellence’s junior athletes’ participation during that
Championship. Below are the links. https://www.postcourier.com.pg/15-athletes-rep-morobe-in-cships/
https://www.postcourier.com.pg/romalus-follows-in-grandfathers-footsteps
