2019 Pacific Games: Pacific sprint king sets new 100m record

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All set … Pacific sprint king Banuve Tabakaucoro after winning the XVI Pacific Games 100m finals at Apia Park Stadium in Samoa on Tuesday, July 16, 2019. Picture: JONACANI LALAKOBAU

A NEW Pacific Games record was set by the fastest man in the Pacific Banuve Tabakaucoro at the 2019 Pacific Games in Samoa yesterday.

The Bau Bullet proved all critics wrong when he blitzed home in an electrifying speed to create a record of 10.31s and surprised the home crowd who were gunning for favourite Jeremy Dodson to win the blue ribbon event at Apia Park last night.

The 26-year-old whose old record was 10.33s was emotional after his golden winning performance said it’s been a tough three weeks especially trying to perform to the expectations of the crowd back home.

“This is a title that has been in Fiji even before I was born and I’m glad to have come out to defend it once again,” Tabakaucoro said.

Tabakaucoro who has now won the title for the third time said the race was the strongest competition he has ever had from the islanders.

“Jeremy Dodson of Samoa and Kelvin, their local boy, when you have strong competitions like that the times are going to drop and eventually you’re going to run quick,” he said.

Tabakaucoro said his personal best is 10.20s but he was happy with his 10.31s record-breaking performance last night.

“We don’t see many stories like this when people come back from other sports and perform this well on track and field and I’m really pleased with where I am right now.”

As for the 200m race, Tabakaucoro said Jeremy was a specialist in the race.

“Right now I just need to go back and reassess my races and plan for the 200m, I believe that is where Jeremy’s strength is and hoping to get that one again.

“I didn’t even expect to come out here and win, I just wanted to do my best.”

Fiji athletics coach Bola Tafo’ou said Banuve was powerful in the first 30m of the race.

“That was the whole race plan altogether, to beat Dodson you got to run away from him and what he (Tabakaucoro) showed in the last 60 was something else.”

Meanwhile, Heleina Young settled for silver in the women’s 100m while PNG sprint queen Toea Wisil won gold.

Young said she was really proud of the achievement she had made.

“Before the games I was looking towards a medal, when I came out here knowing Toea was a strong competitor, but I came out here and did my best and this is the outcome.”

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