Team Fiji Athletics has made a striking impact at the Palau Mini Games, capturing four additional gold medals, thus elevating their ranking to third place in the overall medal tally with a total of 22 gold, 27 silver, and 21 bronze medals.
Errol Qaqa led the charge by securing gold in the men’s 110-meter hurdles, finishing with a time of 14.59 seconds. The team also celebrated Frederico Miller’s victory in the men’s triple jump, where he achieved his best jump of 13.89 meters. Additionally, Samuela Vunivalu claimed bronze in the same event with a jump of 13.70 meters, while Waisiki Koyamainaqoro came in fourth at 13.39 meters.
In a showcase of endurance, long-distance champion Yeshnil Karan completed a spectacular run in the men’s 5000m, winning gold with a time of 15:27.62 seconds. Heleina Young, a former Fijiana 7s representative, made a triumphant return to athletics, clinching gold in the women’s 400m with a final time of 56.05 seconds. Naibena Tuilawaki, another Team Fiji athlete, finished fourth in the same race.
Further successes included a silver and bronze in the women’s discus, where Ratu Sukuna Memorial School’s Loata Lewageena demonstrated her prowess by breaking her previous intermediate girls’ record. Her best throw measured at 48.15 meters, earning her silver, while Swami Vivekananda College student Brieanna Rabakewa finished close behind with a throw of 45.61 meters, adding to her earlier gold performance at the Fiji Finals.
The continued successes of Team Fiji not only highlight the dedicated training and talent of these athletes but also foster a strong sense of national pride. Their achievements bring hope for further success as the competitions progress. The camaraderie and resilience displayed throughout the games are inspiring for the Fijian community, reinforcing a positive outlook for future athletic endeavors.
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