FOURTEEN-YEAR-OLD Vereniki Rasuaki overcame a demanding training environment to claim gold in the boys’ 1500m of the Fiji Primary Schools Athletics Tuckets Ice Cream Games underway at the HFC Bank Stadium in Suva.
Representing the Ra Athletics team, the Drauniivi youngster who is participating in only his second Games, gave his teammates all the reasons to celebrate when he powered home to claim their second gold medal yesterday.
Speaking to Times Sport following his win, Rasuaki who finished fourth in the same race last year, said that he was sure of a gold medal finish this time around.
“I want to thank my coaches, parents and to God for giving me the strength to attain gold in the 1500m.
“I took part in this competition for the first time last year, I managed to finish at fourth place so this year I was determined to win the gold medal. I wish to dedicate this gold medal to my supportive parents who are in the village,” he said.
The team trained at the Ra Sports Ground for over a week.
“I went through so many challenges while preparing for the games. At certain days, I would miss out on lunch because I was dedicated to my training. Training was demanding, it took its toll on my body but i stayed committed.”
Rasuaki also competed in the 800m race.
