Mahatma Gandhi High School continued to assert its dominance on the first day of the schools athletics meet as senior girls’ blue-ribbon winner Lidia Waqairapoa proudly accepted her gold medal this morning, helping the Nabua-based school open an imposing lead in the girls’ division. After day one the defending champions sit top of the table with seven golds, three silvers and one bronze.
The Seninawanawa crew from Mahatma Gandhi have credited months of hard work and sacrifice for their fast start. Coaches and athletes say preparation since the start of the academic year — a regime of intensive training and strict diets — has been pivotal to the team’s early success. “Cutting down on food and all the tough training has prepared us for this competition and we are ready,” Waqairapoa said after her victory, reflecting high morale in the MGM camp.
Waqairapoa’s gold in the senior girls’ blue ribbon was among several standout performances that consolidated MGM’s advantage. The school’s haul across events put clear daylight between them and the chasing pack, but athletes and staff warned that the competition is far from over and that maintaining intensity over the remaining programme will be vital to defending the title.
With day two looming, MGM has turned its focus to the relays, naming the 4×100 metres as the day’s key event. Waqairapoa said the team expects its toughest battles to come there and that baton exchanges and split-second timing will be decisive. Relays often have the power to rearrange early standings, and MGM will be aiming to convert its individual speed into clean, fast teamwork.
Ratu Sukuna Memorial School is currently occupying second place in the girls’ division with two golds, one silver and two bronzes, while CMF College is close behind in third with an identical tally of two golds, one silver and two bronzes. Those schools will be looking to narrow the gap on MGM in the relays and other finals scheduled on day two.
Organisers say the meet will continue through the weekend with a full slate of track and field finals, and schools will be judged on depth as much as headline winners. For MGM, the task is now to translate the confidence from day one into consistent performances across relay and remaining individual events to ensure they can maintain their top spot and defend the championship.