Field events to be a determining factor for Marist - Miller

Former Fiji decathlete and Olympian Albert Miller believes that the success of the Coca Cola Games boys defending champion Marist Brothers High School is the strength of its athletes in the field events.

Miller said there is a lack of strong competition in throws and jumps over the past years.

A few athletes from Marist who are expected to dominate in their events include Junior Boys shot put thrower, Kalio-pasi Ului-lakepa. He set a new zone record of 17.47 metres after his throw in the Suva Zone 2.

Senior boys shot put record holder Mustafa Fall will be aiming to break his own record throw of 15.80 metres he set in 2013.

Other athletes for Marist who are expected to dominate their events are Junior Boys Discus thrower Kaunete Erasito, Junior Boys high jumper Elia Racumu, Senior Boys high jumper Poasa Setoqi and Intermediate Boys discus thrower Maurea Konrote.

Marist won 15 gold medals from the field events in the Suva Zone 2 and they are tipped to win majority of these medals in the Fiji Finals.

Meanwhile about 700 free pairs of canvas will be distributed to maritime zone athletes in the Coca Cola Games.

Coca Cola Amatil working in partnership with the British High Commission, Rotary Club Suva, Pacific Energy, Fiji Water and Niranjans are trying to lend a helping hand in assisting rural athletes in providing free running shoes.

Coca‑Cola Amatil Marketing Manager, Lawrence Tikaram said they noticed last year that most of the rural athletes arrived with no shoes.