Maryann Macedru, a talented athlete from Saint Joseph’s Secondary School, made headlines at the 2025 Coca-Cola Games by breaking the intermediate girls shot put record twice in a single competition. The 18-year-old, hailing from Ra, set a new personal and event record with a remarkable throw of 13.72 meters, surpassing her own previous record of 13.27 meters, established the year before. Not content with just one record-breaking throw, Macedru managed to extend her own record further on her second attempt with an impressive distance of 13.83 meters, earning her a gold medal for her outstanding performance.
Reflecting on her athletic journey, Macedru began competing in sports around grade four when she earned a bronze medal at the Chow Games. It wasn’t until Year Nine that she fully embraced her potential in shot put after her coaches recognized her talent and encouraged her to commit. This path led her to make the tough decision to focus solely on shot put rather than participating in netball and basketball, an effort that has taken her to international stages.
The young athlete has already represented Fiji at the 2023 Pacific Games in the Solomon Islands and won a bronze medal in the 2024 Oceania Games. With her eyes set on the upcoming 2025 Pacific Mini Games in Palau, she has been training intensively six days a week, dedicating herself fully to her sport. “What motivates me is my parents and especially my coach,” Macedru emphasized. “He gives his all in training me, and I admire that.”
Macedru dedicated her victory to her family and coach, expressing pride in her achievements while remaining hopeful for further improvement in her performance, stating, “I know I can do better. I’ve thrown farther before in training, but I’m proud of what I did today and I’ll keep pushing for more.”
This inspiring journey highlights the resilience and dedication of young athletes like Macedru, showcasing the potential within Fiji’s youth sports community. With her continued hard work, there is optimism surrounding her future achievements on both national and international stages.
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