Nigel Cluer
Nigel Cluer. Inducted into the PNG Sports Hall of Fame on November 26, 2016. PHOTO: A. Molen/ PNGOC.
1966: 2nd South Pacific Games in Noumea, New Caledonia.
At the age of 14, Nigel first represented the Territory of Papua & New Guinea where he was the youngest competitor at the Games.
Bronze – 400m Medley relay.
1969: 3rd South Pacific Games in Port Moresby (PNG).
Gold – 100m Backstroke
Gold – 100m Breaststroke
Gold – 100m Breaststroke
Gold – 4 x 100m Medley Relay
Silver – 4 x 100m Freestyle Relay
Won the 1969 Sportsman of the year Award for the Territory of Papua & New Guinea and represented the Territory at the Australian Sportsman of the Year in Adelaide.
1970: Edinburgh Commonwealth Games, Scotland
Nigel was a member of a two-man team to represent the Territory but did not compete as he contracted mumps at the commencement of the Games
4th South Pacific Games in Tahiti (French Polynesia) in 1971
Silver – 100m Backstroke
Bronze – 100m Butterfly
Gold – 100m Breaststroke
Silver – 200m freestyle
Gold – 200m Breaststroke
Gold – 200m Individual Medley
Gold 4 x 100m Medley Relay
Gold 4 x 100m Freestyle Relay
In the early stages of the South Pacific Games many of PNG’s medals were won by expatriates living in the Territory of Papua & New Guinea and eventually the independent country of Papua New Guinea.
Nigel was a student at Barker College before moving to PNG where he was based in Lae. Barker College was the same college where the Seeto brothers Jackson and David of PNG weightlifting fame attended. In PNG Nigel attended Port Moresby High School (now Port Moresby International School).
From 1971-1972 Nigel attended Wisconsin University, Madison, USA on a funded swimming scholarship and represented the University at inter-University championships as well as in the American Nationals, winning numerous medals and placing 3rd in the 200m breaststroke in the Nationals.
In 1972 Awarded the All American Collegiate Swim Trophy.
Following his success in the South Pacific Games in 1969 & 1971, Nigel made two finals in the inaugural FINA World Championships in Belgrade, Yugoslavia in 1973. He came 5th in 200m breaststroke and finishing 8th in the 100m breaststroke.
In 1973 Nigel broke two Australian records:
- 200m Breastroke (held for some 6 years)
- 200m Individual Medley
Nigel also captained the Queensland team in the Australian National Championships. Won 3 Gold medals in 100m breastroke, 200m breastroke and 200m Individual Medley.
1974 represented Australia at the Christchurch Commonwealth Games, NZ in four individual events and 1 relay winning a silver medal in the Medley Relay.
In the same year Nigel retired from swimming and commenced studies in Dentistry at the Queensland University in 1974.
