WANA Senivono defied all odds as she fulfilled her aim in winning a gold medal for a special fan.
The Nawairuku native of Ra won the Coca-Cola Nadroga Navosa Zone senior girls 800m final –– an achievement she dedicated to her mum Naomi Seleimoana Waqa.
The daily training in the hills of Navosa has paid off for the 18-year-old outclassing her fellow competitors to win the top award.
She said the support from her mum and the difficulties faced in the highlands inspired her to win the gold medal.
“I was singly raised by my mum and I dedicate this gold medal to her,” said Wana.
“I have worked hard for this as I want to leave my school on a high note. “Our school team trained daily in the highlands and I am excited to have reaped the fruit of hard work.”
She said her aim was to repeat the same position at the Coca-Cola Games.
“I will have to lift my fitness level as I will be running against the best from around the country.”
Her manager Orisi Sanadali said Wana deserved the gold medal win.
“The difficulties faced in the highlands really motivated her to win,” he said.
“At times we have run out of drinking water and this made her and teammates to work hard.”
Sanadali said Wana and her teammates would work hard to do well at the Fiji Finals.
