NATABUA and Jasper Williams high schools have retained their title as overall winners of the boys and girls divisions in the Lautoka and Yasawa Secondary School zone competition.
Jasper raked in a total of 44 gold, 254 silver and 17 bronze to clinch the girls title while Natabua secured 45 gold, 31 silver and 9 bronze medals to win the boys title.
Former national sprinter Makelesi Batimala said both schools had lifted their performance as evident in the vast difference in the medal tally.
“The competition has moved up another level and as defending champions of the Coca-Cola Games these schools have showcased strength here today and as a representative of athletics Fiji we are very pleased with the performance of each of the athletes here,” she said.
A total of 19 records were broken in the span of the competition and Batimala said this was a good indication of better performances in the future.
Her sentiments were echoed by Natabua High School athletics coach Jo Naivalu.
“I am well satisfied with the performance of the team this year and moving forward we have been able to identify our strengths and weaknesses.
” For the national event I am counting on the athletes have qualified to work harder. It wil not be easy defending this title and so it will be up to the boys to maintain the calibre of performance right through,” he said.
Medals tally
Girls
1. Jasper 44 gold, 25 silver, 17 bronze
2.Natabua 3 gold, 18 silver and 5 bronze
3. St. Thomas 1 gold, 0 silver, 8 bronze
Boys
1.Natabua 45 gold, 31 silver, 9 bronze
2.Tilak 3 gold, 6 silver, 7 bronze
3.St. Thomas 1 gold, 8 silver, 15 bronze
