# Sapolai Yao

Sapolai Yao (born 15 September 1982) is a Papua New Guinean long-distance runner. He competed in the 3000 metres steeplechase at the 2015 World Championships in China without reaching the final.

## Competition record

| Year | Competition | Venue | Position | Event | Notes |
| Representing Papua New Guinea ||||||
| 1999 | Oceania Youth Championships | Santa Rita, Guam | 4th | 1500 m | 4:20.30 |
| 1999 | Oceania Youth Championships | Santa Rita, Guam | 2nd | 3000 m | 9:28.67 |
| 2001 | Pacific Mini Games | Middlegate, Norfolk Island | 2nd | 5000 m | 15:54.71 |
| 2003 | Melanesian Championships | Lae, Papua New Guinea | 1st | 1500 m | 4:04.8 |
| 2003 | Melanesian Championships | Lae, Papua New Guinea | 3rd | 5000 m | 15:49.2 |
| 2005 | Melanesian Championships | Lae, Papua New Guinea | 1st | 5000 m | 16:00.29 |
| 2005 | Melanesian Championships | Lae, Papua New Guinea | 1st | 10,000 m | 34:25.10 |
| 2005 | Melanesian Championships | Lae, Papua New Guinea | 1st | 3000 m s'chase | 9:50.5 |
| 2005 | Pacific Mini Games | Koror, Palau | 1st | 5000 m | 15:59.72 |
| 2005 | Pacific Mini Games | Koror, Palau | 1st | 10,000 m | 33:49.40 |
| 2006 | Commonwealth Games | Melbourne, Australia | 19th | 5000 m | 15:29.80 |
| 2006 | Commonwealth Games | Melbourne, Australia | 13th | 3000 m s'chase | 9:40.79 |
| 2006 | Oceania Championships | Apia, Samoa | 2nd | Half marathon | 1:14:48 |
| 2006 | Oceania Championships | Apia, Samoa | 2nd | 3000 m s'chase | 9:49.56 |
| 2007 | Melanesian Championships | Cairns, Australia | 2nd | 1500 m | 4:05.25 |
| 2007 | Melanesian Championships | Cairns, Australia | 1st | 5000 m | 15:46.95 |
| 2007 | Melanesian Championships | Cairns, Australia | 1st | 3000 m s'chase | 9:43.07 |
| 2007 | Pacific Games | Apia, Samoa | 3rd | 5000 m | 15:45.09 |
| 2007 | Pacific Games | Apia, Samoa | 2nd | 10,000 m | 34:06.22 |
| 2007 | Pacific Games | Apia, Samoa | 2nd | Half marathon | 1:13:49.5 |
| 2007 | Pacific Games | Apia, Samoa | 1st | 3000 m s'chase | 9:41.48 |
| 2010 | Oceania Championships | Cairns, Australia | 1st | 3000 m s'chase | 10:00.07 |
| 2010 | Commonwealth Games | Delhi, India | 21st | 5000 m | 16:21.88 |
| 2010 | Commonwealth Games | Delhi, India | – | 3000 m s'chase | DQ |
| 2011 | Pacific Games | Nouméa, New Caledonia | 2nd | 3000 m s'chase | 9:53.33 |
| 2013 | Oceania Championships | Papeete, French Polynesia | 3rd | 5000 m | 15:43.03 |
| 2013 | Oceania Championships | Papeete, French Polynesia | 3rd | 10,000 m | 33:44.20 |
| 2013 | Oceania Championships | Papeete, French Polynesia | 1st | 3000 m s'chase | 9:49.67 |
| 2013 | Pacific Mini Games | Mata-Utu, Wallis and Futuna | 2nd | Half marathon | 1:17:33 |
| 2013 | Pacific Mini Games | Mata-Utu, Wallis and Futuna | 2nd | 3000 m s'chase | 9:57.35 |
| 2015 | Oceania Championships | Cairns, Australia | 2nd | 5000 m | 15:44.47 |
| 2015 | Oceania Championships | Cairns, Australia | 1st | 3000 m s'chase | 9:39.74 |
| 2015 | Pacific Games | Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea | 1st | 3000 m s'chase | 9:38.89 |
| 2015 | World Championships | Beijing, China | 38th (h) | 3000 m s'chase | 9:51.09 |

## Personal bests

* 1500 metres – 4:11.48 (Brisbane 2004)
* 3000 metres – 8:45.55 (Brisbane 2006)
* 5000 metres – 15:28.94 (Brisbane 2006)
* 3000 metres steeplechase – 9:28.00 (Adelaide 2007)