NAVALA native Sisilia Bulivakarua was all smiles and emotion after powering her way to gold in the intermediate girls 1500 metres final at the Coca-Cola Ba Zone meet at Churchill Park yesterday.
Stopping the clock at 5:55.63, the DAV College runner produced a composed and determined performance to secure her first gold medal at the zone meet a breakthrough moment in her young athletics career.
“I feel good and relieved after winning the gold medal,” Bulivakarua said.
Her run reflected the qualities of a true long-distance athlete – patience in the early stages, control through the middle laps, and a strong finishing kick when it mattered most. With a smooth stride and steady breathing, she maintained her rhythm before shifting gears in the final stretch.
It was in the closing metres that Bulivakarua showed her class, unleashing a powerful surge built on endurance and mental strength to pull away from the field.
Behind the victory lies simple but disciplined preparation.
“I train at the school ground, do road runs and also train at home around the house,” she shared.
Her training, though modest, has clearly shaped her resilience and stamina key traits of a middle-distance runner who understands how to balance pace and power.
Bulivakarua’s win not only marks a personal milestone, but also signals the rise of a promising talent, whose strength, composure and finishing speed could see her go even further as the season unfolds.
