Former South Pacific fastest man Jone Delai is a man of few words.
But yesterday, he punched above his weight to restore Suva Grammar School’s lost pride in the Coca-Cola Games.
SGS last won 11 years ago, and with the help of the Grammar Rise Up (GRU) group which is made up of old scholars and supporters, Delai let the Lions roar the loudest across Laucala Bay yesterday afternoon.
They won the boys division with 11 gold medals, 6 silver and 6 bronze.
“We succeeded through hard work of the athletes and the support from the old scholars which were so great.
“The GRU is a force to be reckoned with. They took over and here we are.”
Delai said he would step down after 15 years as coach.
He paid tribute to the support he received that enabled the victory.
In the boys division, Queen Victoria School bagged 9 gold, 5 silver and 7 bronze to finish second pushing defending champion Ratu Kadavulevu School to third position after winning six gold, five silver and 9 bronze medals.
Adi Cakobau School retained the girls division with 13 gold medals, 8 silver and 8 bronze.
SGS finished second in the girls division winning four gold, 7 silver and 3 bronze.
Jasper Williams High School finished third with four gold, 2 silver and a bronze.
ACS head coach Antonio Raboiliku all paid tribute to the support of parents and old scholars in his eight years as coach.
“Hats off to all athletes who took part. Without them today’s (yesterday) victory would have not been like this,” he said.
“My message to the ladies was to relax and enjoy themselves and do their best. They were confident.
“They sacrificed so much. It’s been a hard time from what we have gone through together and it was not easy for a lot of people during COVID-19.
“We worked together and victory was our reward. We look forward to next year in getting more support with new athletes.”
(Additional reporting by WATA SHAW)
