Lanieta Nagauna of Nasikawa Vision College said it was sheer determination that drove her to a gold medal finish in the Intermediate Girls Shot Put at the 2023 Coca-Cola Games.
The 17-year-old lass from Komave Village in Nadroga defeated top favourite and defending champion Fifita Uluilakepa of Saint Joseph’s Secondary School to claim the top prize.
“I was just so happy that I was able to come out and make my school and family proud,” Nagauna said.
“I was surprised when Fifita also competed, and I thought I didn’t have a chance, but I just trusted myself to push myself as far as I could go.”
Nagauna threw a distance of 10.93 metres for the gold medal 0.61 metres more than Uluilakepa.
“It was a surprise but I was happy to get the gold medal.”
Nagauna said she was looking forward to go home with her medal.
“I know that I will surprise a lot of people coming home with the gold medal.”
Saini Yaco of Adi Cakobau School took the bronze medal with a throw of 10.06 metres.
