TEAM Fiji’s representatives showcased their remarkable athletic abilities at the 2025 Oceania Cup in Tonga, recently returning with impressive achievements. The event took place at the Teufaiva Sports Stadium in Nuku’alofa from October 29 to November 4, where Fiji’s delegation not only set personal bests but also celebrated multiple podium finishes.
Among the standout performances, Nadi’s Samuela Vunivalu made headlines by winning gold in the long jump with a leap of 7.05 meters, which marked a new personal record. He also secured third place in the triple jump, registering a distance of 13.21 meters. Another notable athlete, Maryann Macedru, brought home silver in the shot put, with a remarkable throw of 14.56 meters.
Veteran competitor Errol Qaqa excelled in the 110-meter hurdles, finishing first in 14.86 seconds, while Palau Mini Games athlete Loata Lewageena earned silver in both the discus throw and javelin throw events, achieving distances of 43.50 meters in the discus and 44.05 meters in the javelin.
Junee Netball Club scholarship recipient Sereana Viriviri participated in both the long jump and high jump, finishing fourth in each event with jumps of 5.21 meters and 1.45 meters, respectively. Notably, Paralympian athlete Jimi Onitoro emerged as the star of Team Fiji, dominating in all his events. He set a new personal best in the 400-meter para event with a time of 1:05.95 seconds, won the long jump para event with a leap of 4.99 meters, and finished the 60-meter para sprint in 6.24 seconds.
In continuing to highlight the strength of Fiji’s athletic community, Naibili Vatunisolo also excelled, winning gold in the shot put para event with a throw of 8.21 meters. Team Fiji was part of Team Melanesia, which also included athletes from Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu, and the Norfolk Islands.
The overall performance of Team Fiji at the 2025 Oceania Cup further enhances the country’s reputation in athletics, reflecting the dedication and hard work of its athletes. With optimistic hopes for future competitions, this event not only fosters a sense of national pride but also inspires the next generation of athletes to achieve greatness on the international stage.
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