Overview:
Sonsorol’s Maki Nestor captured the women’s 400-meter title at the 2026 Belau Games after a thrilling sprint to the finish, edging Aimeliik’s Kiralynn Ngirchomlei by less than half a second. The race highlighted the strength, endurance and competitive spirit of Palau’s women athletes.
By: Ngeldei Tulop
KOROR, Palau — Maki Nestor of Sonsorol won the women’s 400-meter final Thursday evening at the 2026 Belau Games, clocking 1:10.32 in one of the tightest races of the masters athletics program.
Aimeliik’s Kiralynn Ngirchomlei took silver in 1:10.59, finishing just 0.27 seconds off the pace. Ngaraard’s Teriana Chinn rounded out the podium in 1:15.72.
Nestor and Ngirchomlei traded the lead through the one-lap sprint before Nestor found another gear down the home stretch to seal the win.
Thursday’s final showed why the category has become a Belau Games staple: strong pacing, sharp finishing kicks and no shortage of grit from gun to tape.
The gold extended Sonsorol’s medal count, while Aimeliik and Ngaraard each banked points toward their teams’ overall athletics standings.
Beyond the results, the race underscored a broader trend at this year’s Games — masters athletes staying competitive and representing their states on Palau’s biggest sporting stage.
More athletics events remain on the Belau Games schedule, with the masters division continuing to run alongside the younger divisions through the close of competition.
