IT was a walk in the park for the fastest man in the South Pacific, Banuve Tabakaucoro, yesterday as he blitzed Apia Park to win his heat in the men’s 100m in a time of 10.87s.
However, the Bau Bullet and Pacific Games record holder will have to work harder in today’s semi-final as he clocked the third fastest time in the heats.
Samoa’s Kelvin Masoe recorded the fastest time in the heats with a time of 10.70s while Tony Lemeki of Fiji stopped the clock at 10.82s.
Tabakaucoro, Lemeki and Albert Miller Jr have all advanced to the semi-final today.
Former sprint king and 1995 South Pacific Games champion Jone Delai in an interview yesterday maintained his position that Tabakaucoro will retain his title today.
He said Banz was good but he was not counting out the Samoan athletes.
“I’m putting my money on Banz to win the 100m tomorrow (today),” Delai said.
The Pacific Games record stands at 10.33s set by Tabakaucoro in 2013.
Meanwhile, Marist Brothers High School student Petero Veitaqomaki successfully won his heat in the men’s 800m event yesterday.
The long distance runner clocked the fastest time in the heats stopping the clock at 1min 56.62s.
Kameli Sauduadua Ravuci has also qualified for the 800m semi-finals to be held today.
