This milestone honors Ryan’s outstanding dedication to sports and his impact on Papua New Guinea.
Ryan’s remarkable sports journey has officially been recognized at the 8th PNG Sports Hall of Fame ceremony, held on 7th November 2024 at APEC Haus in Port Moresby. Starting as a young swimmer at the Boroko Swimming Club, Ryan quickly rose to become one of Papua New Guinea’s most celebrated athletes.
His achievements in swimming speak for themselves – from winning a historic gold in the 100m butterfly at the 2006 Commonwealth Games to taking home a staggering 28 gold, 12 silver, and 4 bronze medals across five Pacific Games. On the world stage, Ryan’s hard work saw him reach the finals at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and earn a bronze in the 100m backstroke at the 2012 World Aquatics Championships.
Beyond the pool, Ryan has been a true champion for athletes, representing PNG and the Pacific on sports councils around the world, like the Pacific Games Council and World Aquatics. His leadership has made a real difference, and he continues to inspire all of us at Theodist. In 2006, he was recognized with an MBE, and he received a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2008 – a testament to his lifelong commitment to excellence.
At Theodist Limited, we are honoured to have Ryan as part of our team. His role as Corporate Development Manager allows us to benefit from the same dedication, discipline, and leadership that made him a sporting icon.
“Ryan’s induction into the PNG Sports Hall of Fame is a proud moment for all of us at Theodist," said Kumar Baliah, CEO of Theodist Limited. "His journey from the pool to the boardroom demonstrates the transferable skills that sports can instill. We're fortunate to have his expertise driving our corporate development initiatives."
Ryan Pini's induction into the PNG Sports Hall of Fame not only celebrates his past achievements but also recognizes his ongoing contributions to sports and Papua New Guinea as a whole.
Theodist Limited congratulates Ryan on this well-deserved honour and looks forward to his continued success both within our organization and in his role as a sports leader in our nation.
** Photo Courtesy of PNG Olympic**