Dream come true for Bulai
PACIFIC Games gold medalist Deborah Bulai says being named in Athletics Fiji’s training squad for the upcoming Olympic Games is a dream come true.
The 24-year-old, a standout athlete based in the USA, clinched gold for Team Fiji at the Pacific Games held in the Solomon Islands last year.
“Being part of the national Olympics training squad was just a dream, I didn’t know this would happen now.
“I’m just happy that my hard work is finally paying off,” the Rewa lass shared.
Currently pursuing a master’s degree in management at Troy University, Bulai also serves as a graduate assistant coach specialising in hammer throwing.
Reflecting on her unexpected selection, she thanked Athletics Fiji head coach Albert Miller for the honor bestowed upon her.
“Albert Miller talked to me about the Olympic Games, and I brushed it off. I didn’t think I was qualified for it.
“I rededicated my life back to Jesus Christ in January. I gave the Lord everything and let Him control everything.
“I gave Him my bad and good days and slowly started to live in the present instead of focusing on the future or the past and opportunities like these started to come my way.”
Despite her personal best of 62.71 metres in the hammer throw, around 12m short of the qualifying mark of 74m, Bulai remains undeterred.
She plans to assess her performance at the upcoming local meet, with her season opener scheduled at the University of Alabama in Birmingham next week.
“I will compete at a few local meets in the next few weeks and see where I am regarding my distance. Next week, I open my season at the University of Alabama in Birmingham.
“The preparations have been coming along well. My coach Michelle Clayton and I have been working hard to develop my strength and numbers in the weight room and off the field.”
Balancing academics, athletic pursuits, and professional obligations is nothing new for Bulai who has navigated the athlete student lifestyle for the past six years.
“I’m used to this. Being an athlete in the collegiate athletic system helped me develop time management skills. I was part of the National Collegiate Athletics Association for six years at three different colleges/universities so it’s second nature to me.”