Makelesi Tabuavou of Vunisea Secondary School threw 34.29 metres to win gold in the sub-junior girls javelin at the 2026 Coca-Cola Games at HFC Bank Stadium in Suva on the morning of the competition. The winning mark gave Tabuavou a narrow victory in a closely contested final that highlighted the depth of emerging throwing talent at this year's national secondary schools championships.
Labasa College's Marica Seninawanawa took silver with a best effort of 33.65m, just 0.64m shy of Tabuavou, while Adi Akanisi Caginitoba of Tailevu North College claimed bronze with a season-best throw of 32.25m. The three medallists were separated by only 2.04m, underlining how tight the contest was and how small margins decided podium placings in the sub-junior division.
The event formed part of the athletics programme at the Coca-Cola Games, Fiji's premier secondary schools meeting that draws competitors from across the country. The sub-junior category is watched closely by coaches and scouts as a gauge of future national-level talent, and Tabuavou’s performance positions her among the athletes to watch as the carnival of school athletics unfolds.
Tabuavou’s gold also represents a notable achievement for Vunisea Secondary School, adding to the school’s presence on the medals table early in the Games. Labasa College and Tailevu North College similarly secured podium finishes that will bolster their teams’ overall standings in the championships, where every medal contributes to fiercely contested school rivalries.
Competition at HFC Bank Stadium continued throughout the morning with athletes across track and field disciplines vying for top honours. The Coca-Cola Games traditionally provides a key development pathway for young Fijian athletes, and performances such as these reinforce the promise of the next generation in throws events.
As the Games progress, attention will turn to other age groups and disciplines, with schools seeking to convert strong individual results into team success. For now, Tabuavou’s golden throw stands out as the latest development from Suva’s stadium and a reminder of the close battles being fought for medals at the 2026 Coca-Cola Games.