Meli Romuakalou Junior, a former champion in the Fiji Finals and a silver medalist at the Pacific Games, is making a notable return to athletics with aspirations to qualify for the national team for the upcoming Pacific Mini Games in June. After a two-year hiatus from competitive running, the former Suva Grammar School standout is eager to represent Fiji once again.
In the 2018 Fiji Finals, Junior triumphed by securing gold in the junior boys’ 200m and 400m events and contributed to his school’s victory in the 4x400m relay, where he also set a record with a remarkable time of 50.4 seconds in the 400m event. As he looks ahead to the Mini Games set to take place in Guam, he shares that training has been rigorous, but his determination to secure a spot on the national team remains unwavering.
“It’s quite hard to prepare for the Mini Games. After high school, I came over to represent the country even while I was still studying. After taking a break for about two years due to injuries, I’m back now, and I couldn’t be happier,” Junior reflects on his journey.
His achievements are impressive; in 2019, he won silver in the 4x400m event at the Pacific Games in Samoa and recently contributed to securing bronze for Fiji’s team at the 2022 Oceania Championships, while also clinching gold in the 4x100m event.
With the 2025 Pacific Mini Games scheduled for June 29th to July 9th in Palau, Meli’s return not only symbolizes personal determination but also highlights Fiji’s broader efforts in preparing its athletes for international competitions. Similar commitments can be seen across several sports in Fiji, including athletics and weightlifting, with coaches emphasizing the significance of rigorous preparation to elevate the nation’s competitive standing.
The preparation for the upcoming games is creating optimism within the sporting community as Fijian athletes, like Junior, strive to embody resilience and showcase their talents on an international level. The collective effort of athletes and coaches working towards this shared goal encourages a vibrant and hopeful narrative for Fiji’s representation in athletics.
Leave a comment