Athletes ready for Melanesia Games

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Athletes from left, Louisa Tubuilagi, Heleina Young and Fane Sauvakacolo. Picture: SUPPLIED

THE Fiji athletics development team to the Melanesian Games have settled in well at Holiday-Inn Resort in Port Vila Vanuatu.

The team had a light training session yesterday and again this morning at the Korman Stadium. Manager Nemani Tukania said the athletes had adapted well to the training environment in Vila.

“All are in high spirits, with no injuries and all are looking forward to tomorrow,” he said. “It will be interesting to see how these squad will perform against the highly rated Australian and New Zealand teams especially in the open women’s 100 and 200 metres, with local talent Heleina Young working hard to qualify for the U20 World Championships in Tempere, Finland in July.

“In the U18 category we have Serenia Ragatu, Louisa Tubuilagi and Salote Baravilala who are also trying to qualify for the October, Youth Olympics Games in Argentina. “The team understands the importance of their performance with evergreen coach Bola Tafo’ou working on the athletes techniques to ensure they perform well,” Tukunia said.

Queen Victoria School sprinter Jim Bolakoro said the team had adapted well and had enjoyed their first training session.

“We had our first training session at the Korman Stadium which is the same size as the ANZ Stadium, but all in all we are here to learn.”

The Tailevu lad spoke about his experience flying on an aeroplane for the first time.

“My first plane ride was scary but I managed to get through by sleeping throughout the flight,” Bolakoro said.

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