By: Eoghan Olkeriil Ngirudelsang
KOROR, Palau— While most 17-year-olds might celebrate their birthday with friends or cake, Dengelei Lukas spent hers at the table tennis court, training for the upcoming 2025 Pacific Mini Games.
Lukas, a senior at Emmaus-Bethania High School and a top student from Ngeremlengui State, is quickly making a name for herself as one of Palau’s most dedicated and promising young athletes. A recipient of the prestigious Palau Student Athletics Scholarship—awarded through a partnership between Rubekul Belau and the Palau National Olympic Committee—she represents the very best of the country’s emerging sports talent.
“I’m a little nervous but really excited,” said Lukas during a practice session. “I’m doing my best and putting God first—He’ll take care of the rest.”
That mindset has carried her far. Lukas has been training intensely for the last six months, practicing six days a week, from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m., under the guidance of national team coach Dillon Meriang. In April, she and her team traveled to Taiwan for a month-long intensive training program, where they practiced twice daily and competed every Saturday.
Her commitment to the sport began early. She represented Ngeremlengui in the 2019 and 2021 Belau Games, winning gold in both events. In 2023, she took her talents to the Pacific Games in Honiara, Solomon Islands, and in 2024, she earned another gold medal representing Palau at the Micronesian Games in Majuro, Marshall Islands.
Now preparing to represent Palau once again on home soil, Lukas serves as a symbol of discipline, humility, and faith—an inspiration to fellow athletes and a proud representative of her community.
Her message to other young athletes: “Do your best and put God first and let Him do the rest.”