AFTER securing a gold medal in the women’s hammer throw event at the Pacific Games, Deborah Bulai said the thought of representing her family and nation was what motivated her to come out with a win.
The USA-based athlete won Team Fiji’s 13th gold medal at the Pacific Games in the Solomon Islands after throwing 58.33 metres to secure the win.
“For me, coming out here to the Pacific Games, all I could think about was representing my country, family and friends,” the 24-year-old said.
Originally from Rewa with maternal links to Kadavu, Bulai dedicated her medal to her parents who she said were her biggest supporters.
“I just want to dedicate my medal to my parents; they have been supporting me since the beginning.
“They’ve been through a lot just to be able to see that I get everything I need to train and prepare myself.”
Having spent 13 years in the US, Bulai was recruited by Athletics Fiji head coach Albert Miller to the national side for the games.
“The experience at the Pacific Games has been an eye opener for me, also my first time representing Fiji, and I hope to represent the country again in the future.”
Bulai took up the sport of hammer throwing in her first year of college in the US where she attended Cloud Country Community College.
“Started throwing in high school and picked up hammer my first year in college. I attended Cloud County Community College, the University of Mississippi, and Texas State University.”
Today, Bulai is a student at Troy University where she is studying for a masters in management, while also being a graduate assistant coach in the sport of hammer throwing.
“Now I’m attending Troy University where I am getting my masters in management while also being a graduate assistant coach and training at the moment.”
Meanwhile, coach Miller says Bulai’s stint at the Pacific Games last month opened the horizon for other female athletes in the country to take up the sport of hammer throwing.
“There have been little to no athletes in the country who have taken up hammer throwing as a sport they want to compete.
“Winning gold at the Pacific Games will surely encourage more athletes to take up the sport,” Miller said.
He said winning a gold medal in her first appearance for Fiji was a huge achievement in itself.
“The Pacific Games was her first time representing Fiji and she managed to win a gold medal, which is a huge achievement.
“We asked her about her experience at the games and she told us that she loved it and would like to represent Fiji in the future.”
While Miller says hammer throwing is a sport more athletes should look to participate in, he does not believe that the sport should be introduced at the secondary schools competitions.
“Yes, hammer throwing is a sport athletes should look to compete in, but I don’t think it should be introduced yet at the secondary schools level.
“This is because the sport is quite dangerous, and the safety of our children should be paramount to us.”
Miller labeled Bulai as an extremely competitive athlete, one who was well immersed in her craft of hammer throwing.
“She’s a very competitive athlete who is fully immersed in hammer throwing.
“She has competed in various highly competitive tournaments from the past 10 years in the states, which makes her one of the best athletes to feature for Team Fiji.”
Miller added he had been following Bulai for the past few years and had made attempts in the past to have her represent Fiji at competitions.
“I have been following her for a few years now and she has developed so much as an athlete.
“Looking at the rate she’s progressing, she has the potential to compete at the Olympic Games in the future.”
