Setareki Dawai of Natabua High School broke the intermediate boys discus record at the Fiji Finals of the Coca-Cola Games with a throw of 49.89 metres, officials confirmed yesterday at the HFC Bank National Stadium in Suva. The Daratabu villager from Nadi eclipsed the previous mark of 49.35m, giving him a 0.54m margin on the old record and securing gold for his school in a tightly contested competition.
Dawai credited careful balancing of his academic commitments with disciplined training for his breakthrough. “Breaking the record today was incredibly tough, with fierce competition all around,” he said after his victory, adding heartfelt thanks to his aunts, his granduncle and fellow boarders at Natabua High School for their support. He also expressed gratitude to the school’s broader supporters and to the Almighty for the strength to perform on the day, saying he had given his absolute best.
The intermediate boys podium was completed by Asitamani Fuka of Ratu Kadavulevu School, who claimed silver with a throw of 47.85m, and Vamarasi Kafoa, who took bronze with 43.83m. The top three distances underline the depth of talent in the intermediate ranks this year and the competitive standard that Dawai had to meet to set the new record.
School officials and coaches at Natabua hailed Dawai’s achievement as the result of steady progress rather than a sudden leap. Coaches noted his consistent improvement in regional meets and his capacity to combine studies and sport — an important model for other student-athletes at the island-school level. Dawai, a boarder at Natabua, said the camaraderie among teammates played a major role in keeping him focused through the season.
Looking ahead, Dawai signalled his long-term ambitions. He told reporters he plans to return stronger in 2027 with the aim of breaking his own record. Given the narrow margin by which he bettered the previous mark, that target appears well within reach if he continues his current trajectory of improvement.
The discus final formed part of the Fiji Finals programme, which continues today and is scheduled to conclude tomorrow at the HFC Bank National Stadium. Coaches and spectators alike will be watching closely for further standout performances as schools vie for honours across track and field disciplines in the closing stages of the Coca-Cola Games.