Zone 1 breaks record
MAHATMA Gandhi Memorial School students Waisale Inoke and Kesaia Boletakanakadavu claimed top honours for their school yesterday afternoon during the Suva One Coca-Cola Games athletics competition at the ANZ Stadium at Laucala Bay, Suva.
Boletakanakadavu ran a time of 12.75 seconds and said she never expected to win the senior girls 100 metre final.
Josifini Bulouca of Nasinu Secondary School claimed the silver medal with a time of 13.45s while Filomena Nasilivata of Kalabu Secondary School claimed bronze with a time of 13.92s.
“I really never expected this,” said Boletakanakadavu.
“My preparation to the zone was not up to par. I fell ill and did not train for one month and to win is a blessing.”
She knows how challenging the 2022 Coca-Cola Games would be and said she was up for it.
“I know I will have to lift my performance going into the games and try and work on my time.”
Meanwhile, Inoke broke a record yesterday.
He ran a time of 10.62s in the 100m and set a new record in the senior boys long jump event with a distance of 6.91 metres compared with the previous record of 6.35m.
Sakeasi Gauna of Nasinu Secondary School won the silver medal with a time of 11.29s.
Viliame Nacagilevu, also of Nasinu, claimed bronze with a time of 11.51s.
“It is a great privilege to come first,” said Inoke.
“I thank the Lord for giving me the strength and my parents for always supporting me.
“I would also like to say a massive thank you to the teachers and coaches for aiding in my preparations.”
Suva Zone One executive Biu Colati said Inoke’s time was recorded manually.
The world 100m record set by Usain Bolt is 9.58s .
The national record set by Banuve Tabakaucoro is 10.20s.