Balancing family life with elite athletics earned Salome Tabuatalei the title of “Super mum” when The Fiji Times profiled the mother of two in 1997.
A report in The Fiji Times of September 26, 1997, said the housewife and 1995 Coca-Cola/Fiji Sports Council Sportswoman of the Year had become one of Fiji’s top middle-distance runners while raising her young family.
Ms Tabuatalei represented Fiji in the 800 metres, 1500 metres and 3000 metres at the 1995 South Pacific Games, but she said her proudest achievement was much closer to home.
“I was so happy when my daughter asked me to train her,” she said.
” It showed me that she wanted to follow in my footsteps.”
Her 11-year-old daughter had already won a silver medal at the same games, while her husband, Semi, had represented Fiji in the marathon at the 1982 Brisbane Commonwealth Games.
Ms Tabuatalei began running at the age of 13 and first represented Fiji at the 1991 South Pacific Games in Port Moresby. After taking time away from competition to raise her two children, she returned to athletics in 1994.
“People used to ask me why I was running with a baby in a pram. But I told them that I had to train and that was the only way I could do it.”
Her daily routine began at 4am before another training session in the evening.
“I have to fit my training around my household chores and my children’s need.”
Her husband also served as her coach.
“He understands me and supports me 100 per cent. Without him I wouldn’t be where I am today.”
Encouraging other women to pursue their ambitions, Ms Ms Tabuatalei had a simple message.
“Don’t think that because you are a mother you can’t do anything. You can still achieve your goals if you put your mind to it.”
