Marist Brothers High School sprinter Kirikiti Biu capped a remarkable Coca-Cola Games campaign by claiming the junior boys’ 200 metres gold on the final day, adding to the 100 metres title he won on day one. Competing in his first year in the junior grade, Biu’s double-sprint triumphs cemented an impressive transition up from the sub-junior ranks and underlined his status as one of the meet’s breakout performers.
“I would like to thank the God Almighty for his support and guidance to me from day one of the games till day three,” Biu said after his 200m victory. “I won my 100 metres gold medal on day one and my 200 metres gold medal today.” He described the win as unexpected given it was his debut season at junior level, but one he achieved through focus and determination on the track.
Biu’s success is the product of a disciplined build-up. He and his coaching team spent eight weeks of intensive preparation ahead of the Games, a training block the 2012 sub-junior standout says paid off. “This triumph is the reward for the gruelling eight weeks of preparation that he and his team endured,” his school reported, and Biu publicly thanked coaches, family and former students who offered encouragement before the final. “Before the race, a lot of old boys were wishing me well and telling me to win the race, and I’m so happy I did.”
The double gold is also a continuation of a strong run of form for Biu. Last year he was named best athlete at the Fiji Finals after sweeping the sub-junior 100m, 200m and the 4x100m relay. Moving up a grade, he successfully defended his dominance over the 100 and 200 metres, though he was unable to repeat the relay gold this time around.
Marist Brothers High School’s 4x100m relay quartet finished second, taking silver behind Suva Grammar School. Biu ran as part of the Marist relay team that narrowly missed out on a clean sweep for the school’s sprint contingent, settling for silver while individually collecting two golds.
School officials and coaches hailed Biu’s performances as evidence of both his raw speed and his growing race maturity. They highlighted his composure across three days of competition and the value of the structured training block leading into the Coca-Cola Games. Biu himself remained humble, reiterating thanks to those who supported him and noting the personal satisfaction of delivering for his school on the biggest stage of school athletics.
As the Coca-Cola Games concluded, Biu’s back-to-back sprint victories provide Marist Brothers with a high note to build on, and set expectations that the young sprinter will be a name to watch in upcoming island and national meets as he continues to develop in the junior ranks.