Sacrificing the 1-week school holidays to prepare for the 2022 Coca-Cola Games, running up the hills of Kadavu and swimming in the ocean, has paid off for 17-year-old Viniana Tuiloma of Vunisea Secondary School who won the Open Girls 3,000 metres this morning.
Tuiloma says the school athletics team sacrificed their school holidays to stay back at school and prepare for the Games.
The Year 12 student says even though they had to go through many challenges, she is thankful to God for always being their pillar of strength.
Tuiloma says she is grateful to have supportive parents and has dedicated her win to them.
The Kadavu school now has 1 gold and 1 silver.
Elizabeth Kalouniviti settled for the silver medal in the 3,000 metres event while Akeneta Lutu of Lomaivuna High School is taking home the bronze medal.
Evueli Toia won the Boys 3,000 metres event at the Coca Cola Games.
Savenaca Namokoli of Balata Secondary won the silver medal while Christopher Tikolutu of Namosi Secondary settled for the bronze medal.
The 4x400 metres relay heats are currently underway, the 400 metres finals will be at 3.20pm while the 100 metres finals will be at 4pm.
Stay with us for the running medal tally updates, results and interviews. You can check out all the coverage on our website, fijivillage and relive all the moments from the Coke Games by checking out our fijivillage re-live videos.
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