Gallery: Running, racing and raising resilience - PNG's Piniau powers on

He missed the record he desperately wanted, but his run was a victory for resilience. For a sprinter, Theo Piniau certainly knows how to go the distance.

Every step of his athletics career has required determination and sacrifice but the 2018 Commonwealth Games also taught him resilience and acceptance.

After devoting a year of his life to training on the Gold Coast and fashioning a near-perfect preparation, the 200-metre PNG national record holder tore a hamstring and adductor. Hopes of a new record were replaced with prayers that he would simply get to the start line.

He did, finishing an honourable fifth in his heat, in 21.76 seconds.

"It's definitely worth it," he says.

The Commonwealth Games for a second time, that's never easy to make. I wasn't sure if I was going to make the team when I got injured. But I did it."

Taking a break back home in Rabaul before ramping up his sport and study again, Theo's satisfaction is justified. At just 25 Piniau is an Olympian, international college student, Oceania Australia Foundation scholarship recipient and, given his bad luck with injury, something of a philosopher.

"I'm really pleased with the performance," he says of his Games effort.

"I know that I am getting better and stronger. I was expecting and hoping to run a quicker time but this is acceptable for me because I am always happy with progress."

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This story was produced by ABC International Development as part of the Pacific Sports Partnerships funded by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.