Golden Leap For Dausoko

Former Natabua High School student Waisake Dausoko took out gold in the senior men’s Long Jump with a distance of 7.40 metres in the Melanesian Athletics Championship at the ANZ Stadium yesterday. Winning gold is not new to the 20-year-old from Rakiraki. He won gold in the 2015 Coca-Cola Games where he set the record in the Senior Boys Long Jump with a distance of 7.16 metres.

“I’m excited about winning gold at the Melanesian Games because I was not expecting to come first,” Dausoko said. “Knowing that I was going up against other athletes from different countries, I was really nervous and had a lot of pressure on me. “But I’ve come a long way and have a long way to go. “This was a good experience for me and it was really tough but it made me learn and shows me how hard I really to work.” Even though Dausoko did not set his personal best, he has set his eyes on representing Fiji at the Olympic Games in future. “I wanted to set my personal best and win gold and make my country proud. “Those were my three goals and even though I did not set my personal best, I am still proud of myself,’ he said.

“I would not be here if it wasn’t for the support of my family and friends who kept encouraging me. “I am aiming for the Olympic Games, that is my one dream that I am working towards. “But right now, I know what I have to do to improve and become better.” The 2016 Melanesian Athletics Championship continues today at the ANZ Stadium. Edited by Osea Bola