Regina and Josephine Waqatabu of CMF College continued their rise in school athletics on Thursday, with Regina defending her standing at the top of the podium and Josephine clinching bronze in the junior girls high jump. Regina cleared 1.63 metres to take gold while her twin sister finished third with a best of 1.55m, marking the siblings’ second consecutive year of medalling in the high jump after they won gold and silver in the sub‑junior grade last year.
The result in the junior final underlined the Waqatabu twins’ consistency as they transition through grades. Regina again emerged as the top performer, maintaining the lead she established last season, while Josephine remained on the podium despite slipping one place from last year’s silver. Their performances drew praise from coaches and teachers who have overseen their development at CMF College.
Beyond the medals, the sisters had extra reason to celebrate: a family wager with their mother. The twins said it was tradition that whoever performed best would win a $100 cash prize and a smartphone, an incentive they said helped focus their preparations. “The one thing that kept us going through this whole journey is we managed to work together, stay together and also pray together for our talent,” Josephine said after the competition. She added the pair loved being outdoors and credited coach Fereti Inoke for spotting their potential.
Josephine also thanked the school and supporters for backing them during training camps. “The journey has been wonderful; we came through challenges but we overcame them through love and by working together,” she said, acknowledging teachers, family and fans who have supported them “when we go to jump.”
Coach Fereti Inoke lauded the twins’ commitment and urged them to set their sights beyond school competitions. “I thank them for always being there for training; they have been giving their 100 per cent in training,” Inoke said. He encouraged them to pursue national representation, saying such opportunities would allow the sisters to develop into “great athletes and ambassadors for Fiji” if they continue on their current trajectory.
The Waqatabus’ back‑to‑back podium finishes add momentum to their budding careers and place them among the junior jumpers to watch in upcoming meets. With Regina retaining top honours and Josephine remaining a medal threat, their coach and school will likely push for national trials as the next step in converting school success into wider competitive opportunities.