FIJI Finals junior girls 100m winner and record holder Sera Nasilivata revealed that her mother Maraia Adi is the secret behind her success.
The 15-year-old Lau lass who shares maternal links to Kadavu proved to be the fastest female this year after clocking a time of 12.30s in the 100m finals on Thursday.
The Year 10 student of Mahatma Gandhi Memorial High School broke a 32-year-old record of 12.34s set in 1993 by Masilina Rakai who represented Ba Methodist High School.
Her time was faster than the girls blue ribbon winner Claudie David of Suva Grammar School who ran 12.63s and intermediate girls 100m winner Lydia Wairapoa also of MGM who stopped the time at 12.63s.
Speaking to the The Fiji Times, Nasilivata revealed that her mother is the main reason behind her athletic success in the Fiji Finals.
“My mum was the first person that came into my mind when I crossed the finish line,” she said while reflecting on her 100m win.
Her mother’s sacrifices have shaped her journey this far.
“She has always been with me through the highs and the lows. We have been through a lot of things together, but she has never left my side.
“Most of the time she made sacrifices. She did a lot just because of me and I am very thankful that she is in my life.”
Her mother has never failed to turn up and show her support to Nasilivata in all her sporting endeavours.
“She is always the first person to come early in the morning just so she could watch my run and yeah she should be somewhere here.
“I do get nervous sometimes knowing that she’s here, but most of the time I just focus on my run because when I get off the blocks she’s the only one that comes to my mind so my win and everything else goes to her.”
Nasilivata did not know that she had set a new record until the media approached her for an interview.
She said she was overwhelmed with emotions and was even happier to have shared the moment with her teammates.
Nasilivata will compete in the 200m today and is the favourite to take out the gold medal.
