Thomas Baker Memorial School’s Lusia Nenewa claimed her second gold medal of this year’s Coca Cola Games on Saturday with a dominant win in the intermediate girls 3000 metres, marking a significant step up from last year’s podium finish.
The Nasauvakarua, Navosa native produced what organisers described as a commanding performance to take the title, improving on the bronze she earned in the same event at last year’s meet. Nenewa said the victory was dedicated to the people who have supported her journey. “I would like to dedicate this win to my parents and my coaches who have always supported me,” she said after the race.
Nenewa added the 3000m crown to the 1500m gold she successfully defended on Friday — a title she first won last year during her debut season in the intermediate grade. That back-to-back success in the 1500m, followed by the 3000m triumph, underlines her growing dominance in middle- and long-distance events at the national schools competition.
Her double gold haul places Nenewa among the standout performers for Thomas Baker Memorial School at the meet and raises expectations that she could add a third medal later today. She is slated to anchor the school’s intermediate girls 4×400 metres relay team in the final, after the quartet posted one of the fastest times in the heats.
Coaches and teammates have cited Nenewa’s steady improvement and work ethic as key factors in her rise through the intermediate ranks. Moving from third to first in the 3000m within a year highlights both greater race experience and endurance development, observers said. Her ability to defend the 1500m title, meanwhile, demonstrates consistency across distances and pressure situations.
The Coca Cola Games, which brings together secondary-school athletes from across the nation, continues through the weekend with relay finals and remaining field events scheduled. Nenewa’s team will be among those aiming to convert strong heats performances into medals in the afternoon session.