Athletes gauge fitness, speed
Athletics Fiji gauged their athletes after three months at the ANZ Stadium in Suva, last Saturday.
AF president Vuli Waqa said the open competition was an opportunity to test fitness and speed of athletes.
“Good turnout in our first competition, I thought it would be much less,” he said.
“The Pacific Mini Games will be held next year so we need to start now. We do not know how many students will be participating after the Coca-Cola Games was cancelled.
“We need to shake off the cobwebs early. This is part of the preparation as we build up to the Mini Games in 2021 and the Tokyo Olympics.
“One of the problems we face is securing the ANZ Stadium for our competitions.
“We need to do bookings in advance because the Fiji Rugby Union and Fiji Football Association also want to use the venue.”
Tavua long distance runner Yeshnil Karan was in top form as he easily won the Open 10,000 metres, 5000m and 1500m events.
“We’ve about five people running in the 10,000metres- four male and one female, which is good for us,” Waqa said.
“We are inviting anyone interested to participate in the Open invitation because we have not done anything in months, so we got to start somewhere.”
Athletics Fiji aim to host such competitions in the Western Division. Results: 10,000m- Open (W) Vilimaina Lesi 49:05.24, (M) Yeshnil Karan 34:57.75; Masters Men: Brian Hennessy 39:04.25
100m- U14 (G) Claudie David 14.54; U16 (G) Tirisiane Kiliraki 14.24; U16 (B) Jotame Narawa 13.00; Open (W) Sereana Vulaono 13.47, (M) Banuve Tabakaucoro 11.15
400m U14 (B) Asaeli Tuevu 57.44; U18 (G) Unaisa Bosara 1:10.03 (B) Ilaijia Qiqibukawaqa 54.60; Open (W) Noelene Mallam 1:20.08 (M) Samuela Railoa 50.89
800m U14 (B) Moiz Atlaf 30.06.70; U16 (B) Apisai Valenibulavou 2:35.75; Open (M) Rajeshwar Prasad 2:12.98
200m Open (M) Banuve Tabakaucoro 21.7
1500m Open (M) Yeshnil Karan
4:17.2
5000m Open (M) Yeshnil Karan
16:20.1
Discus Open (W) Karalaini Vakuruivalu 26.52m (M) Mustafa Fall 44.78m
Shot Put Open (W) Karalaini
Vakurivalu 10.30m (M) Mustafa
Fall 15.82m.
Triple Jump Open (M) Eugene
Vollmer 14.54m.