The race is on in the 100 metres heats of the Coca Cola Games as the top secondary school sprinters from around the country try to book a place in the 100 metres finals tomorrow.
The Marist Brothers High School camp has confirmed that Joseva Tabakaucoro will be running in the Intermediate Boys 100 metres and 200 metres events.
Tabakaucoro was earlier in doubt for the Coke Games after suffering a hamstring injury three weeks ago.
He will run in the 100 metres heats this hour. Tabakaucoro is in the same heat as Tyrone Chambers of Natabua High School and Kolinio Radrudru of Suva Grammar School.
James Cox of RKS is also an athlete to watch in the Intermediate Boys 100 metres.
Looking at the Senior Boys 100 metres heats - Iosefo Kamusu of Saint Bedes College in Savusavu has the fastest manual time of 10.5 seconds. Last year’s 100 metres winner, Shane Tuvusa will face tough competition in his heat as he is up against Malasebe Tuvusa of Grammar. Shane’s manual time is 11.07 seconds while Malasebe’s time is 10.66 seconds.
Keasi Naidroka of Marist is also gunning for the blue ribbon title as his time is 10.7 seconds while Tony Lemeki also of Marist is coming into his heat with a manual time of 10.65 seconds while Jim Colasau of QVS has a time of 10.77 seconds.
The Senior Boys 100 metres heats will start at 2.35pm today.
Meanwhile, Pacific Sprint King Banuve Tabakaucoro believes the Senior Boys 100 metres event will be a three way battle this year between Shane Tuvusa of Natabua and Marist runners Tony Lemeki and Keasi Naidroka.
Tabakaucoro holds the Coca-Cola Games Senior Boys 100 metres record of 10.43 seconds which was set in 2011.
However, Tabakaucoro says other runners should be not be counted out.
Fiji Airways and Fiji Link have announced that they will sponsor outstanding athletes in this year’s Coca-Cola Games.
The Senior Boys and Senior Girls 100 metres champions will get return trips to Singapore or Hong Kong.
The top male and female athletes will get return trips to Australia or New Zealand while the top Boys and Girls Sub Junior Athletes will get return trips to any domestic Fiji Link destination.
13 gold medals are up for grabs today including the 1500 metres finals, Junior Girls High Jump, Senior Boys Shot Put, Senior Girls Long Jump, Intermediate Boys Discus, Junior Girls Javelin, Intermediate Girls Triple Jump, Sub-Junior Boys Javelin and the Sub-Junior Girls Discus.
The 100 metres heats are currently underway while the 400 metres heats will start at 2.55pm.
The 1,500 metres finals will be held from 5.25pm today.
You can catch the live commentaries of selected heats of the 100 and 400 metres on our sister station Viti FM on 92.2FM and on our website, fijivillage.com starting at 1.30pm today.
Stay tuned for the latest news on our radio stations