Tawai Keiruan

Tawai Keiruan was a track and field athlete from Vanuatu who specialised in middle-distance running. A regular at the South Pacific Games during the 1990s, Keiruan won several medals, with his first coming in 1991 with silver in the 5,000 metres in Port Moresby. At the 1995 Games he won gold in the 3,000 metres steeplechase, silver in the 1,500 metres, and bronze in both the 800 metres and the 4 x 400 metres relay. Four years later he won another silver, this time in the 3,000 metres steeplechase. Keiruan also won multiple medals at the South Pacific Mini Games, including gold in the 1,500 metres in 1993, along with gold in the 3,000 metres steeplechase in 1997.

In 1992 Keiruan made his first appearance at the Olympics when he was selected to compete at the Barcelona Games. Running in the 5,000 metres, he finished 13th in his heat, almost two minutes outside of the qualifying time. Four years later he returned to the Games, this time running in the 1,500 metres in Atlanta, where he finished last in his heat. He also had the honour of being the flagbearer for Vanuatu at the Opening Ceremony. After his competitive career Keiruan became the manager of the national athletics team.

Personal Bests: 1500 – 3:58.28 (1993); 5000 – 15:08.1 (1997).