ALISI Maramaniruve, of Suva Grammar School, is the new sprint queen at this year's Coca-Cola Games after winning the senior girl's 100 metres final at the National Stadium in Suva last night.
Maramaniruve defended the gold medal which was won by teammate Suliana Gusuivalu last year. Gusuivalu won the senior girl's 400m final. Maramaniruve clocked 12.77 seconds in the 100m final. Natabua High School's long distance specialist Alisha Dickinson showed that she also had speed and settled for the silver medal, stopping the clock at 12.99s. Timaima Qica of Sila Central High School took bronze medal in a time of 13.29s.
In the boy's division, Waisale Ledua was awarded the gold after putting his chest first in a close final against Waisake Rasalala of Sila Central High School. Both runners clocked 11.04s.
SGS's assistant principal Mika Mudreilagi said the win was a sweet victory for the both athletes.
"It is sweet victory for these two athletes in the sense that there was a lot of pressure at the time of the run in both the heats and the finals. Congratulations to them for the win, we will continue to inspire them so that they can do their best in their next events," Mudreilagi said.
In the senior boys 400m final, favourite Ratu Tira Narara, of Marist Brothers' High School, defended his gold medal and broke his old record. Narara set a new time of 47.74s while his old time was 47.84s which he set last year.
Marist Brothers High School leads the medals tally after day one with 6 gold, 4 silver and 1 bronze medal.
Suva Grammar School is second with 5 gold, 3 silver, Ratu Kadavulevu School is third with 2 gold, 1 silver and 1 bronze.
In the girl's division, SGS is in the lead with 3 gold, 1 silver and 2 bronze.
Defending champions Adi Cakobau School is still on track to defend the title with 3 gold and 2 bronze medals.
Jasper Williams High School is third with 2 gold, 5 silver and 1 bronze.