Elanga Buala

Elanga Buala was a Papua New Guinean sprinter who ran the 200 and 400 metres at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics. She started as a volleyball player but transitioned to athletics in 1981, winning the Papua New Guinea title at 100 metres that year. From 1981-84 she won seven national titles in the 100, 200, and 400 metres and was on the podium 13 times.

Buala’s greatest tournament came at the 1983 Pacific Games when she won gold medals in the 200, 400, and 4x400 relay, adding a silver in the 4x100 and a bronze in the 800 metres. She also competed at the 1983 World Championships and the 1982 Commonwealth Games. At the inaugural Mini South Pacific Games on the Solomon Islands, Buala won gold in the 4x400 relay, adding a silver in the 400 and bronze in the 200.

Personal Bests: 200 – 24.82 (1984); 400 – 56.82 (1984).