NATABUA High School has once again sent a powerful warning ahead of the prestigious Coca-Cola Games, with a commanding performance at the Lautoka Zone competition that showcased both sprint dominance and all-round depth.
Leading the charge were blue ribbon champions Storm Naivalu and Josevata Tuinavitilevu, who stamped their class in the senior 100 metres finals the marquee events that often signal who to watch on the big stage.
Naivalu stormed to victory in the senior girls final in 12.56 seconds, underlining her status as one of the country’s most exciting young sprinters.
The daughter of former Fiji-American athlete Jovesa Naivalu, she showed her versatility by also claiming gold in the 200m and playing a crucial role in Natabua’s winning 4x100m relay team, denying rivals Jasper Williams High School a clean sweep.
Despite the expectations that come with her pedigree, Naivalu remains grounded.
“I’m grateful for the win and thank God,” she said, adding she hopes to carve out her own path rather than simply follow in her father’s footsteps.
In the senior boys division, Tuinavitilevu proved equally impressive, clocking 10.57 seconds to claim the coveted 100m title.
His explosive start a key part of his race has been sharpened through guidance from former champions Shane Tuvusa and Batinisavu Uluiyata.
“They always encourage and motivate me to have a strong start,” he said.
With confidence high, Tuinavitilevu now has his sights firmly set on delivering on the biggest stage, while also acknowledging fellow zone champions around the country.
But Natabua’s strength goes far beyond the track.
The school dominated the Lautoka Zone meet, defending both the boys’ and girls’ titles in emphatic fashion at Churchill Park.
The girls’ team amassed 19 gold medals, while the boys delivered an even more commanding haul of 33 gold a clear indication of depth across sprint, middle-distance, relay and field events.
Their field athletes, often the backbone of championship success, have also been quietly building momentum adding valuable points in throws and jumps that could prove decisive at the national level.
School principal Virendra Sharma credited the achievement to a collective effort.
“It is a very wonderful feeling. We have done it again for the second successive year. It all boils down to hard work and consistency from our teachers, students, parents and old scholars,” Sharma said.
He added that athletes were reminded to compete with pride and discipline, especially during the Easter period, a message that clearly resonated in their performances.
As the action shifts to the HFC Bank Stadium, Natabua enters the Coca-Cola Games not just as defending Lautoka zone champions, but as a well-balanced powerhouse.
With proven sprinters like Naivalu and Tuinavitilevu leading the charge, and strong support from their relay squads and field athletes, the Lautoka giants look poised to once again challenge for top honours and perhaps, set the pace for the rest of the country to follow.
