Mahatma Gandhi Memorial High School’s Intermediate Boys 4x100m quartet stole the spotlight at the Coca‑Cola Suva Zone One Athletics meet yesterday, powering to gold in a finish the team dedicated to their trusted taper, Apisalomi Saukuru, who has just secured a rugby league contract with the Bulldogs club in Australia.
The Vatuwaqa school’s quartet executed near‑perfect baton exchanges and maintained blistering pace through each leg, with the anchor producing a late surge to nip rivals in the final metres and trigger wild celebrations from teammates and a packed stadium. The victory capped a composed race in which precision and timing proved decisive, officials and coaches said after the event.
Team captain Lawrence Fatiaki made clear the win had a purpose beyond a medal. “This win is for Api. He’s been with us every day, pushing us and believing in us. We wanted to do this for him before he leaves,” Fatiaki said, praising Saukuru’s constant presence behind the scenes. According to Fatiaki, Saukuru’s role as taper — helping the athletes prepare, recover and stay motivated through the season — has been instrumental to the squad’s confidence and cohesion.
Saukuru, who is expected to depart Fiji in June to begin his professional rugby league career, was visibly moved by the tribute. “I’m proud of the boys,” he said after the race. “We all worked hard for this, and we deserve it.” Team members described the result as a fitting send‑off for a teammate who, while not on the track, has been a steady support in training and competition.
The gold adds to MGM’s growing reputation in school athletics. The school has produced notable sprinters in recent seasons and has been working to carry that momentum into the island’s premier secondary‑school meet. The Suva Zone One meet serves as an important lead‑up for athletes and relay teams eyeing selection and strong showings at the Coca‑Cola Games later in the athletics calendar.
Coaches hailed the relay squad’s composure under pressure and the morale boost the victory provides as the season progresses. With Saukuru bound overseas, MGM now celebrates both the on‑track triumph and the opportunity to send a valued member of their program onto a new sporting stage in Australia, underscoring the close bonds that drive the school’s team ethos.
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