An all-rounder in sports, 17-year-old Lanieta Nagauna is an epitome of a victor. The Komave lass from Baravi, Nadroga not only participates in athletics, but plays rugby league, netball and 15’s rugby.
The Nasikawa Vision College student was one of the athletes who won gold at the 2023 Coca-Cola Games two weeks ago.
Nagauna won gold after beating St Joseph’s Secondary School’s intermediate girl shot put throw favourite and last year’s junior girl gold medalist Fifita Uluilakepa.
Nagauna threw a distance of 10.93m while Uluilakepa threw 10.32m to secure first place in the girls’ intermediate shot put event.
Having maternal links to Nakobo Village in Cakaudrove, Vanua Levu, Nagauna didn’t expect to win gold but was expecting a silver or bronze.
“Last year my opponent from St Joseph’s came in first while I came in third at the Coke Games,” she said.
“I thought that this year I would probably win bronze or silver especially when I found out that she was also competing. She was really good last year with her throws, so I knew competition was going to be tough. “When we started competing, I realised that my distance was longer than the rest of my opponents. “I didn’t expect it, especially being told I had secured the first spot.
This is my second year participating most were going into their third year of competition.” She said the team members always encouraged each other when competing.
“We tell each other at camp that we shouldn’t be scared to compete and that we should remain humble throughout the competition – win or lose,” she said.
She said it was her coaches’ word of encouragement and the teams’ motivation that helped her win gold for her school.
“I didn’t have any family members supporting me in the three days of competition but it was good to have my two coaches support throughout the Fiji Finals,” she said.
“When Coke Games ended last year, we were told to start preparing for the competition again during the off-season.
“Not only was I participating in athletics, I was also playing rugby league as well. “Now that the athletics season has ended, I look forward to the netball and the rugby season.”
She said training in the scorching sun was all worth it for her and she got to win a gold medal for her school this year.
“The weather in the West can be really tough on us athletes but we sacrificed our time to train hard so we can do well in the Coke Games,” she said.
For financial support, the Nasikawa Vision College team thanked their supporters for their financial assistance in getting them through the Fiji Finals.
Nagauna’s gold was the only one in the girl’s division for the school.
