GIFF JOHNSON
JR Bremen Leban won a silver and bronze medal in the annual Wrestling Oceania Championships held this year in Apia, Samoa.
Daniel Myron Langinlur joined him, taking referee and coaching courses offered during the tournament. He has now completed a Level 1 Coaching Course and Level 2 Referee Course Certifications.
They were both honored at Nitijela Monday this week as Natural Resources and Commerce Minister Tony Muller, who doubles as the National Olympic Committee president, spoke for 15 minutes about JR’s medals and Daniel’s development as a coach and referee. He pointed out that the Apia competition was a qualifying tournament for athletes to compete in the Olympic Games in Los Angeles in 2028.
JR’s bronze at the Oceania Championship was in the freestyle category. His silver in the Oceania Opens was also in freestyle.
JR is a CMI Sports Coordinator and Myron is an alumnus of CMI, said the college’s Student Government Association Public Relations Officer Goodwind Silk.
“I wish to convey sincere congratulations to our champion, JR Bremen Leban, for his hard work, blood, and sweat in bringing home silver and bronze,” said Wrestling Federation President Waylon Muller. “A very special recognition also goes to new coach Myron Langinlur for completing his coaching and referee training.”
JR’s parents are Jenitha Alberttar and Edgar Leban. Daniel’s parents are Mailynn Konelios-Lang and Aaron Lang.
“Earning medals will also further an athlete’s ability to compete in the World Championship and Olympic Games,” the minister said in recognizing the duo at Nitijela Monday.
And the trainings that regional and international sports federations provide offer important capacity building opportunities for RMI athletes, coaches and referees, he said.
“Training our athletes and members to become certified coaches and referees ensures development both on and off the mat,” Minister Tony said. “This also brings us closer to hosting our own national wrestling competitions here in Marshall Islands.”
Waylon emphasized the long-term impact that wrestling — started decades ago by the late Andrew Bing — has had on the sports world of the RMI and regionally. Since Waylon became the first RMI wrestler to win a medal in regional competition, in Samoa, in 1993, “our national wrestling team has earned medals at every Micronesian Games, South Pacific Games, and Oceania Championship, and has also secured international individual rankings,” Waylon said.
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