Waisele Inoke, known for his record-setting performance in long jump, is gearing up to compete in the men’s decathlon at the 2025 Pacific Mini Games in Palau. His journey in athletics took an inspiring turn when he shifted from sprinting and long jump to embrace the decathlon, which includes ten challenging disciplines that demand a combination of explosive power, speed, technique, and mental resilience.
Inoke’s athletic career advanced significantly after he was awarded a scholarship to study and train at Neosho Community College in Kansas, USA, where he adapted quickly to the decathlon format. Over the past two years, he has established himself as Fiji’s fourth-best decathlete of all time. This year, he has shown exceptional prowess in both the 100m and long jump, placing first in national rankings and breaking the national indoor heptathlon record twice.
His performance at the 2025 NJCAA Division I Outdoor Championships, where he finished fifth in the decathlon and earned All-American honors, highlights his rapid progress in the sport. Inoke views the multifaceted nature of the decathlon as a significant opportunity for personal growth and character development, having learned valuable lessons from the challenges presented by longer races and the varied events involved.
As he prepares for his upcoming competition, which starts on June 29 in Koror, the excitement within the Fijian athletics community is palpable. The event not only presents Inoke with a platform to showcase his talents but also fosters a sense of national pride as he represents Fiji on an international stage. The dedication and hard work that athletes like Inoke exemplify inspire many young Fijians to pursue their dreams in sports, contributing to a hopeful future for athletics in Fiji.
Inoke’s trajectory mirrors the growing momentum in Fijian sports, with fellow athletes also achieving remarkable success and breaking records, paving the way for a bright era in the nation’s athletics scene.
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