At a distance of 11.67m, Tanesa Lola Areki of Mahatma Gandhi Memorial High School set a new record at the Coca-Cola Games Suva Zone One meet yesterday.
She made her mark in the intermediate girls shot-put event and broke the previous record of 10.92m set by Nasinu Secondary School.
Areki’s rise to prominence in breaking the record stemmed from consistent training and the belief of ensuring she did her best.
“My only goal this year is to just do what I’ve been taught to do as I’m told, to stay consistent and just to execute my very best in all things,” Areki said after her gold medal was presented.
In breaking the record, she said she eyed the opportunity to do so however she kept her focus on implementing the skills she learned.
“When I came, I saw it and I knew myself that I could do it; I never pondered over it,” she said.
“I just wanted to focus on what was taught to me and I was very focused on executing the skill I’ve learnt.”
And setting her sights for the Coca-Cola Games, also known as the Fiji Finals, she says preparations have progressed well.
“I’ve been doing what I’m supposed to do and I plan to continue what I’ve always been doing.”
She also had to balance her studies with their extracurricular activities, and it was of the essence since she is also studying English and Mathematics with Pure Science subjects such as biology, chemistry and physics.
“I had to commit to going to school every day, so I would go to school, I absorb as much as I can.”
She admitted it was not easy to balance her studies and athletics however it was also a work in progress.
“It’s not always easy, time management is very important and it’s something I’m still a bit contemplating about how to manage it.”
She also won bronze in the intermediate discus on Thursday.
