A short pause from playful exchanges with her young discus teammates finds Loata Lewageena gearing up for her throws in the circle, where with a few swift spins, the discus sails into the distance. As part of Team Fiji for the upcoming Pacific Mini Games in Palau, Lewageena expressed her excitement about representing her country.
“I’m really happy and I’m just going to trust in the Lord, because the outcome will be his all the way in the end,” she shared during her participation in the second time trials for Athletics Fiji at the HFC Bank Stadium.
Hailing from Emuri, Nadroga, Lewageena faces challenges in her sport, notably dealing with stereotypes surrounding throwing events. “Some challenges I’ve faced is when people make fun of throwing; it’s like they don’t care much about it,” she mentioned. Additionally, balancing her academic responsibilities with athletics is another hurdle she navigates.
Despite these challenges, Lewageena has been buoyed by the unwavering support from her family and friends, which she credited as pivotal in her journey. “The support from home has been good especially from my family,” she remarked, which includes words of encouragement and even fasting.
This will be Lewageena’s first experience at the Mini Games, though she previously represented Fiji at the Pacific Games in 2023, where she showcased her growing prowess as an athlete.
The narrative surrounding young athletes like Lewageena reflects a broader trend in Fiji’s sports community, where record-breaking performances are becoming commonplace and serving as motivation for future generations. Her story, like those of many other athletes overcoming obstacles to achieve success, embodies the spirit of resilience and community pride prevalent in Fijian athletics.
As the Pacific Mini Games approach, there’s a collective sense of hope and enthusiasm in the community, anticipating extraordinary performances from young athletes determined to make their mark on the international stage.
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