For Salome Sanadali, waking up at 4am and to hit the ground running straight after, speaks volumes of her determination and hard work that enabled her to win the gold medal in the under-9 girls long jump with a distance of 3.73 metres at the 2023 Punjas Biscuit Game at Churchill Park.
The Year 4 student of Lekutu District School in Bua was proud of her achievements at the annual athletics event.
“I am happy with the win and I will show this medal to my friends and classmates when I return back to school,” she said.
Her mother, Torika Sanadali who accompanied the young champion all the way from Bua, was over the moon with the achievement.
“They had two weeks of preparation. Our house is near the school and she uses to wake up at 4am and train in the school grounds for one hour. “In the afternoon, after school, she used to train as well and I am very proud of her because her hard work has been paid off with a gold medal win.”
Sanadali said it was the first time for her daughter to compete at a big stage and showed the courage and will from athletes representing Bua.
Nainase Buna of Yasawa secured the silver medal with a jump of 3.70 metres, followed by Grace Teresia Gonecava of Macuata South with a jump of 3.53 metres.
