Lawrence Fatiaki of Suva Rua, the Blue Ribbon winner, expressed his joy after a thrilling finish in the boys under-14 100m final at the 2024 Tuckers Ice-Cream Fiji Primary Schools Athletics Championships held at HFC Bank Stadium in Laucala Bay, Suva.
The Year 8 student from Rotuma was over the moon after racing to victory and celebrated with his teammates who praised him for his remarkable achievement. “I just feel like Usain Bolt right now and I’m very excited,” Fatiaki remarked, drawing a parallel to the world-renowned Jamaican sprinter, widely known as the fastest man on the planet. He shared the exhilaration of competing alongside peers who matched his speed, stating, “It felt really wonderful and amazing running with people who had the same speed as me.”
Fatiaki reflected on his training journey leading up to the race, emphasizing the challenges he faced. “It was really hard, sweating every day in the sun, and I’ve been training since last year,” he recalled. As he prepares to transition from primary to secondary school next year, the aspiring athlete has clear ambitions. “I will never leave athletics; I will never leave the sport until I achieve my goals,” he declared.
To further his athletic ambitions, Fatiaki has set his sights on attending Mahatma Gandhi Memorial College in Nabua, Suva, hoping to develop his skills beyond his recent success. He also took the time to express gratitude towards his family and supporters for their constant encouragement.
This inspiring story of perseverance and dedication in youth athletics highlights the importance of support systems and the potential for young athletes to cultivate their talents and aspirations. Lawrence Fatiaki’s journey serves as a motivational example for aspiring athletes everywhere.
In summary, Lawrence Fatiaki’s triumph in the under-14 100m final reflects not only his hard work and talent but also his determination to pursue athletics professionally in the future. His dream of achieving great things on the track, coupled with strong support from his community, paints a hopeful picture for the next generation of athletes.
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