At the 2025 Fiji Finals, a remarkable five new records were established on the event’s inaugural day, demonstrating the exceptional talent among young athletes. The records included outstanding performances in events such as the sub-junior boys long jump, intermediate girls shot put, and junior girls 100m.
Opeti Tikoisiwa from Suva Grammar School made headlines by launching himself to a record-breaking leap of 6.12 meters in the sub-junior boys long jump. This impressive achievement broke the previous record of 6.03 meters, set just last year by Aminiasi Tavailagi from Ratu Kadavulevu School. The sportsmanship displayed during this event was a highlight, as it illustrated not just personal triumph but also a spirit of friendly competition that resonates throughout Fiji’s athletics community.
In the sub-junior boys discus, Semesa Gladden from Swami Vivekananda College showcased his throwing prowess with a distance of 43.64 meters, surpassing Maximus Lestro of Marist Brothers High School, who had previously set the record at 43.12 meters. This improvement emphasizes the continual progress athletes are making as they strive to outdo their predecessors.
The intermediate girls shot put saw Mary Macedru from St. Joseph’s Secondary School once again proving her mettle, as she registered a throw of 14.44 meters, breaking her own record of 13.27 meters from last year. This illustrates a personal journey of growth and commitment to excellence.
In another notable achievement, Selestine Atalifo also from St. Joseph’s Secondary School set a new record in the sub-junior girls discus by achieving a distance of 31.83 meters, surpassing the previous benchmark of 31.12 meters held by Loata Lewageena since 2022. Her success underscores the depth of talent evident in this competition.
Finally, the junior girls 100m event became a thrilling highlight as Sera Nasilivata from Mahatma Gandhi Memorial High School clocked an impressive 12.30 seconds, breaking a 32-year-old record of 12.34 seconds held by Masilina Rakai from Ba Methodist High School since 1993. Nasilivata’s significant triumph not only marks an individual milestone but also contributes to the trend of record-breaking performances seen across various competitions in Fiji.
The achievements of these young athletes reflect a growing culture of excellence and community support in Fiji’s athletics. This resurgence of record-breaking performances inspires hope for the future, igniting enthusiasm among fans and fostering an environment that motivates aspiring athletes. As the competition progresses, the excitement surrounding these emerging talents continues to build, heralding a promising future for athletics in Fiji.
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