Caption: Jasper’s Mereseini Naidawa on her way to win her second gold medal in the 3000 metres open grade event. Photo: COURTESY OF ANN LAL.
By JOSEPHINE NAVULA
Jasper William High School now leads the medal tally after Mereseini Naidawa won the Girls 3000 metres open grade event after clocking a time of 11 minutes 13 seconds.
The 19 year old from Nadarivatu who also won her 1500metres yesterday, said she is excited that all her hard work has finally paid off.
“I feel happy winning the 1500 and 3000 event, proud of myself and the school. We had been training for 8 weeks and the pressure was very hard.”
“Training was very hard we faced some difficulties, with some athletes being injured during preparation and we didn’t spend most time with our family during our holiday,” she said.
Ana Maria of Vaturova Korolau High School settled for silver with a time of 11 minutes 14 seconds, while Vasenai Ratu of Nadarivatu Secondary School won bronze with a time 11 minutes 22 seconds.
Kelemete Sau of Vaturova Koroalau High won the Boys 3000m, clocking a time of 9 minutes 13 seconds.
Meanwhile in the 400 metres finals from last night, 14-year-old Abbygale Tiko of Natabua High School won the Junior Girls grade final.
The form three student said she was happy with her performance.
“The atmosphere was scary, its nerve racking beyond the blocks waiting for the caller to say go. With the two months training I think I’ve done very well and made my school proud.”
“Struggles in training would be on trying to beat my personal best, which was 63 seconds and I have achieved tonight with 58 seconds,” she said.
Emma Navukula of ACS settled for silver while Laisana Likuceva of Jasper William High took bronze.
In the Junior Boys final, Apolosi Ranawai won gold for QVS in a record time of 51 seconds. Tony Hirisia of Marist Brothers High School won silver, while Phillipe Cirikiwai took the bronze medal.
In the Intermediate Girls 400 metres final, Mereseini Vukici of Jasper Williams High won gold, ACS’s Alaiwalu Raiyawa won silver while bronze went to Orbelle Kelepi of Holy Cross College.
In the Intermediate Boys 400 metres final, Natabua’s Batinisuva Uluiyata won gold and set a new record with a time of 48.76 seconds.
Saula Nodrakoro of Beqa Yanuca won silver while bronze went to Lorima Toga of Penang Sangam.
Setaita Kini of Xavier College won gold in the Sub Junior Girls final, Mereia Naceva from Cuvu College took silver while bronze went to Kalesi Bua of Vishnu Deo College.
In the Sub Junior Boys 400 metres final, Osea Baleinamau won gold with a record time of 58.54 seconds, Sairusi Naliva of Xavier took silver while Taitusi Lulusini of Cuvu College settled for bronze.
Miriama Senokonoko took gold in the Senior Girls, silver went to Sereima Liku of Jasper while bronze went to Naomi Tawake of Ballentine Memorial School.
Suva Grammar’s Kemueli Waqa won gold in the Senior Boys 400 metres. Natabua’s Sailosi Niuvati took silver while bronze went to Nicholas Korovulavula of Yasayasa Moala College.
Jasper now leads the medal tally with 3 gold, 4 silver and 3 bronze. Adi Cakobau School in second place with 3 gold, 2 silver and 2 bronze. While, Xavier College is in third place with 2 gold, 1 silver and 1 bronze while Saint Josephs Secondary School is in fourth place with 2 gold and 1 silver.
Marist brothers high School lead the medal tally with 4 gold, 6 silver and 1 bronze.Queen Victoria School in second place with 4 gold, while Xavier College is in third place with 2 gold, 4 silver and 1 bronze.
Suva Grammar is in fourth place with 2 gold, 2 silver and 2 bronze.