Deborah Faith Bulai, a gold medalist in hammer throw at the Pacific Games and a national record holder, served as the guest speaker at the Fiji Sports Awards held at the Vodafone Arena over the weekend.
Bulai, who hails from Nadoria, Rewa, shared her journey into hammer throw, which began during her first year of college in 2018. She described how her initial involvement in the sport grew into a professional passion.
“When I picked it up, I got good at it and everything else is history. From there, I found something I loved doing and found purpose doing it,” Bulai remarked.
She emphasized that being a successful athlete hinges on three crucial principles: dedication, discipline, and common sense, stating, “There is no shortcut to success, and you should know that.”
The 2024 Oceania Athletics bronze medallist also discussed the internal challenges athletes face, pointing out that these struggles are often overlooked but significantly impact their careers. She noted that criticism stemming from performance issues can create stigmas that affect athletes’ mental well-being and career paths.
Bulai highlighted how some athletes may feel pressured to conform to public expectations, leading to misguided perceptions of themselves. She recently achieved gold at the 2023 Pacific Games in the Solomon Islands with a throw of 58.33 meters.