New Caledonia has won gold in the first event at the Pacific Mini Games in Wallis and Futuna.
Veteran runner Nordine Benfoda defended his ten thousand metres title from the Pacific Games in Noumea two years ago, crossing the line in just over 34 minutes and 42 seconds.
"The 40 year old was 35 seconds clear of Rosfelo Siosi from the Solomon Islands, while Papua New Guinea's Simbai (SIM-BYE) Kaspar took the bronze in his first overseas competition."
The two other runners from Vanuatu and PNG failed to complete the race.
Nordine Benfoda says the humid conditions were challenging so it was pleasing to be able to keep to his plan.
In the middle of the race I tried to increase the tempo to show to know what the fitness of the other runners and after that I can play my race because also I was in good fitness in the other Games but in these Games I don't have really good fitness but enough to win the tactic today.
Nordine Benfodda will also compete in the men's five thousand metres and half marathon on Thursday and Friday respectively.
