While there is a first for everything, Naitasiri Secondary School’s Laisiana Kororua lived up to it today during the start of the 2022 Coca-Cola Games in Suva.
The 14-year-old was in tears after knowing that she has gone into the record books of the annual games after she was the first athlete to win the first gold medal of the games and also after she became its inaugural holder.
“This is the proudest moment of my life, especially in my first Coca-Cola Games,” Kororua told Fiji Times Online.
“The games is the talk of our schools, even at the primary school level. Everyone from my school wants to compete in the games, and to win the first gold medal is the best honour I will get. I thank my family, my teammates, and my school.
“All our hard work of training early morning on gravel road and on grass tracks have paid off.”
She clocked 5.35.30 minutes leaving Mere Fotu of Vunisea Secondary School in Kadavu with silver with a time of 5.35.40, and Elizabeth Kalouniviti of Dreketi High School with bronze with a time of 5.44.80.
Serupepeli Vuavetuki of Tailevu North College won gold in the sub-junior boys 1500m with a time of 4.47.20.
Silver went to Donasiano Lewenivula of Nadogo Secondary School in a time of 4.55.30, while bronze went to Simione Viani of Marist Brothers High School in a time of 4.56.60.
Other results:
1500m:
Junior girls: Gold – Lilieta Buna, Thomas Baker Secondary School – 5.15.10m; Silver – Glandness Simpson, Ratu Luke Memorial – 5.16.00; Kastie Patties, Natabua High School – 5.17.30.
Junior boys: Gold – Rosivela Matanimeke, Waidina Secondary – 4.33.40; Silver – Waisale Tagivetaua, QVS – 4.33.40; Bronze – Orisi Bukasiga, Xavier College – 4.44.40.
Intermediate girls: Gold – Alena Volavola, Ba Methodist – 5.16.30; Silver – Kuini Vabuluti, Nabala Secondary – 5.16.40; Bronze – Rusila Tabuyawa, Naitasiri Secondary – 5.16.40.
Intermediate boys: Gold – Vishant Reddy, Korovuto College – 4.17.40; Silver – Savenaca Namokoli, Balata Secondary – 4.26.20; Bronze – Pratik Goundar, Lautoka Andrha – 4.27.10.
Senior girls: Gold – Hina Funahashi, Jasper Williams – 5.12.40; Silve r- Vilimaina Naituku, Naitasiri Secondary – 5.14.90; Bronze – Adi Ama Masau, St Joseph’s Secondary – 5.17.20.
Senior boys: Gold – Evueli Toia, St Vincent College – 4.23.26; Silver – Iowane Viani, Namosi Secondary – 4.21.20; Bronze – Sailasa Moala, Lomaivuna High School – 4.24.40.
Field events:
Senior boys shotput
Gold – Iowane Qaloivi, Marist Brothers High – 13.26 metres; Silver – Nalani May, MBHS – 13.00m; Jonathan Cokomata, RKS – 12.86m.
Senior girls long jump
Gold– Tamaleti Vunilagi, Sigatoka Methodist – 5.22m; Silver – Sereima Baleivuna, Holy Cross – 4.87m; Bronze – Asinate Nabitu, ACS – 4.87m.
Senior girls triple jump
Gold – Abigail Tavuyara, St Joseph’s Secondary – 10.36m; Silver – Rosemary Kunabuli, Jasper Williams – 10.36m; Bronze – Makelesi Robe, Nadi Sangam College – 10.08m.
Senior girls triple jump
Gold – Yvonne Nalewabau, ACS – 11.00m; Silver – Imakulata Leqeua, Holy Cross – 10.82; Bronze – Laisani Kuridua, Sigatoka Methodist – 10.80m.
Junior boys shotput 4kg:
Gold – Ravai Faktaufon, QVS – 14.79m; Silver – Daniel Savea, Rotuma High – 13.43m; Bronze – Epeli Rosevakula, MBHS – 13.41m.
High jump junior girls:
Gold – Unaisi Lea – Holy Cross – 1.53m; Bronze – Analaisa Vueti, Balata Secondary – 1.47m; Bronze – Hannah Matavesi, ACS – 1.40m.
Intermediate boys discus throw 1.5kg:
Gold – Josese Tawake, QVS – 43.47m; Silver – Jone Buadromo, QVS – 39.25m; Broonze – Francis Peters, SGS – 38.33m.
Junior girls javelin throw 500g:
Gold – Lice Baleadrau, Labasa Muslim College – 37.22m; Silver – Seruwaia Laulaba, ACS – 36.13m; Bronze – Maria Mualelele, Taveuni South – 35.60m.
