Early birthday gift
IT was an early birthday present for Elenani Tinai after she won gold in the women’s heptathlon at the 2019 Pacific Games in Samoa on Thursday, after setting the pace in Wednesday’s first four events and progressing strongly to the finish line at Apia Park Stadium.
Tinai, who will be celebrating her 20th birthday on July 23 next week, dedicated her win to her family back in Fiji and her boyfriend in Australia.
The former Adi Cakobau School student who made up consistent performances in all seven events particularly the 100m hurdles, shot put, 200m race and long jump came first in three events out of seven.
Tinai, who is currently studying and competing in the USA topped the standings with 4550 points.
Papua New Guinea’s Raylyne Kanam settled for silver with 4101 points while her countrywoman, Edna Boafob claimed the bronze medal with 3848 points.
“I feel good and thankful to my teammates — Fane Sauvakacolo and Shawntell Lockington — who didn’t quite make it in the last minute but they finished the race with me,” Tinai said.
Going into the games she said “I was aiming to make some PBs and doing my best for the heptathlon event.”
However the Naivicula, Wainibuka lass with maternal links to Nawairuku, Ra said she was expecting to win a medal, specifically gold, because she was prepared for it.
The dream for Tinai now is to continue to represent Fiji in heptathlon and create records in the event in the future.
“I am thinking to sticking to the heptathlon event for the moment and do some records.”
Right after she received her gold medal Tinai was back on the track and anchored the women’s 4x400m relay to a silver medal win.