Lasaqa: Who dares wins

Blistered and in pain during the last round, Wainibuka athlete defied the odds to win the 1500 metres gold medal

Running without shoes was something that pushed Camari Adi Lasaqa of Wainibuka Secondary School to win the Open girls 1500 metres gold medal during the 2018 Coca-Cola Games at the ANZ Stadium yesterday Wearing one sock, the 16year old of Nalidi, Wainibuka ran, among athletes who were properly outfitted, but she proved in the end that only those who dares

The record still stands at 4:43 minutes which was set by Maia Ramsden

win.

In the final round, Lasaqa felt the pain in the leg as the blister started to develop.

But Lasaqa pushed on regardless and focused on finishing the job.

“I felt my leg started to hurt,”she recalled.

“One thing that comes to my mind is my family and the sacrifices the coaches have done to bring me here. So I persevered as I had to pull through.

“This is not the end, I kept saying, I ran through it and I was forever determined to win. It was a case of who dare wins.

“I will be running in the 3000m today, it will be a challenge but I will try my best.” Lasaqa clocked 5:06 mins, Melania Turaga of Jasper Williams High School was second (5:08 mins) and bronze medal to Lavenia Kororia of Naiyala Secondary School (5:13 mins).

The record still stands at 4:43 mins which was set by Maia Ramsden of International School Suva in 2017.

Photo: Ronald Kumar Photo: Ronald Kumar Camari Adi Lasaqa of Wainibuka Secondary School with her gold medal she won during Coca-Cola Games at ANZ Stadium on April 19, 2018. Camari Adi Lasaqa of Wainibuka Secondary School celebrates her 1500 metres Open Girls final win during the CocaCola...

Ronald Kumar Tony Lemeki of Marist (third from left) won the second senior boys 100metres heats during Coca-Cola Games at ANZ Stadium on April 19, 2018.Photo: