Sila runner takes it step at a time
I’ll have to train harder for the Triple N Zone, says a middle distance runner. Sila Central High School’s Tevita Rakuita clocked 2.60minutes to win the senior boys’ 800 metres final at that ANZ Stadium, Suva, yesterday. Rakuita told SUNsports that he is taking things one step at a time.
“Now, it’s the Triple N Zone for me,” he said.
The 19-year old knows that to qualify for the Coca-Cola Games, he needs to work hard.
“I want to take things slow and focus on the Triple N Zone first,” the Mokani, Tailevu lad said.
“There will be a lot of competition in the zone coming from other schools especially Lelean Memorial School. I’m looking forward to the zone because I want to gauge my fitness from there.”
Rakuita said at present he’s not even thinking about the Coca-Cola Games.
“I’ve to improve my time and my goal is to win my event in the zone.
“I’ve to train hard and prepare for what I want to achieve.
“Reducing my time I’ll need a lot of work and plus I’ve two weeks left which is a blessing for me.”
The TJ’s Golden Gloves Championship got underway at the Commander Stan Brown Gym and Fitness Centre at Walu Bay, Suva, yesterday afternoon. Fiji Amateur Boxing Association(FABA) development officer Ana Ledua told SUNsports that 60 boxers took part in the twoday competition.
These boxers qualified from last year’s weekly Monday Big Night Fights.
The opening five bouts only had one lasting the distance while the rest were on knockouts.
Ledua said the winners from each category are to meet in today’s finals where they would be awarded medals.
“Most of the boxers are in the top four of their categories, so we mindful of their weight and age and strictly follow the AIBA (International Boxing Association) standard,” she said.
“We are governed by AIBA standards and we follow the basic boxing rules. This is a great start for amateur boxing. We want to set the standard that in this nationals, we’re not just picking anyone who walks into the ring, everyone should consistently participate. So we’re growing and there is a lot of to see this year.”
Also, women boxers are going to participate today in the exhibition fights before the finals.
“The challenge we face at the moment is getting female boxers that fall under the same category. We’ve had female boxers but they lose out in terms of game time in the ring because they do not get a match. FABA is planning to work on this and we hope to see more women in the ring,” Ledua added.
Today’s competition starts at 2pm.
Results
Senitieli Bose beat Vilive Naiovei on points, Neehal Chand beat Ronesh Prasad after referee stopped contest, Samuela Waqa beat Tevita Dagoya after referee stopped contest, Pita Navavia lost by knockout to Samuela Gonewai, Sekai Gonewai beat Jone Naisera after referee stopped contest. The fights were still going on last night when this edition went to press.