THE fruits of hard work and sacrifices were ripe with victory for Natabua High School sprinter Mesake Turuva to win the senior boys 400m yesterday
With a captivating performance that began from when he ran out onto the tracks, slapped both hands onto it and took his marks, a major thought that propelled him to the win was ending his time at the school on a high note.
Turuva blitzed past sprinters of Ratu Kadavulevu School, Queen Victoria School, Nakasi High School, Khalsa College, Ratu Sukuna Memorial School, Lelean Memorial School to walk away with the gold medal.
He repeated the same feat he achieved last year with senior girls athlete and teammate Adi Ceva Lutumailagi yesterday, winning the senior boys and girls 400m.
Meanwhile, Turuva thanked his family, coaches and supporters for being a source of strength and guidance which he says were vital to him powering through to win gold yesterday.
In expressing his gratitude, he also is eyeing an opportunity to join the disciplined forces after secondary school.
“Since this year is my final year, I just wanted to complete what has been a successful three years of competing at the HFC Bank Stadium and I am hoping to become a police officer,” he revealed.
As many saw him sprint easily past competitors of other schools, much of that boost with each 100m came from the unseen efforts of hard work, determination and sacrifices made for the greater result.
“Na vavarau e sega ni rawarawa, dua na ka na kena dredre. Ia, au vakavinavinakataka na Kalou ni soli jiko na kena yalo; na kana vakaca, moce vakaca, yadra vamataka lailai.
(Preparing and training was not easy, it was very challenging. However, I am thankful to the Lord for the determination, the lack of proper meals and sleep and waking up early in the morning.)
“Ioo na vosota e caka jiko mai sa mai tamusuki ga i ke na vuana, gole sara jikoga vei Koya na vakavinavinaka.”
(However, the effort to continue overtime has resulted in the fruits of hard work being reaped and I am just so thankful.)
Turuva was also an integral part of the relays that Natabua competed in as well.
