Titilia Namu of Tavua College jumped a height of 1.65 metres in the intermediate high jump event to equal a record set 14 years ago.
The Tavualevu Village lass with maternal links to Naloto in Tailevu, equalled the jump set in 2010 by Diama Maramanikaibau of Suva Grammar School during Day 1 of the Coca-Cola Competition last week.
The 17-year-old who thanked God for giving her the strength to compete was overjoyed at winning the only gold for her school.
Committed to her training, Namu started her Coca-Cola Games training around November last year and quickly built her agility and speed in her run-ups and take-offs for her jumps.
Making her first appearance at the national athletics meet, she didn’t expect to win anything least of all a gold medal.
Her perseverance and hard work helped her achieve more than she dreamed.
“I thank God for this day and for the win and for allowing me to experience this,” she said.
“I would like to dedicate this win to my school and my supporting parents. To my aunt and my late uncle who passed away a few months ago.”
She said training in the West heat was hard, but she had to endure it to make her school and family proud.
“I also thank my coach Mr Praneet Prasad who trained and prepared me well for the competition and Ms Devi for the morale support,” she said.
“I would like to encourage those that wish to take up high jump or are already doing it to keep going and put their best effort into it.”
Sereana Viriviri of Swami Vivekananda College won silver in the event with a jump of 1.61m while Latileta Uluvuku Raivou won bronze with a jump of 1.49m.
