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LoginFiji’s sprinters take the spoils in Pacific showdown
Fiji sprinters Banuve Tabakaucoro (left) and Niko Verekauta with their games medals. Photo: CINews
Pacific.Scoop
By Rashneel Kumar on Rarotonga
Fiji sprinter Niko Verekauta lived up to his expectation, conquering the BCI Stadium tracks after winning the men’s 100m showdown at the Pacific Mini Games yesterday.
Verekauata, who ran for the first time in the blue ribbon event, clocked 10.59s.
He was just short of the Pacific Mini Games record of 10.52s which was set by former Fiji sprinter Jone Delai in 1997.
However, the traditional middle distance giant managed to smash his own personal best of 10.60s which he ran during the recent Oceania Prix Championship.
“I’m happy with the performance today and also the new personal best I have set,” Verekauta said.
“I want to thank all the supporters and dedicate this medal to my family members back in Fiji.”
“I’m now focusing in winning the 200m and 400m events.”
Fellow country sprinter Banuve Tabakaucoro also clocked his personal best time of 10.68s to win the silver medal.
The bronze went to Niue’s Lagaua Isac who ran a time of 10.75s.
In the women’s 100 sprint, Fiji’s Makelesi Bulikiobo retained her “queen of track” title after winning the event with a record time of 11.97s.
The previous record of 11.99s was set in 2005.
Tonga’s Latai Sikurea and Vasi Feke settled for silver and bronze medal respectively.
Athletics Fiji coach Albert Miller was happy with the results yesterday.
“I’m really happy with the performance and time set by our athletes despite the weather conditions.
“Hopefully we continue like this in the remaining of the events.”
Rashneel Kumar is a second year student journalist from the University of the South Pacific and is a member of the Cook Islands News games media team.
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