With just 30 days to go before the 2025 Pacific Mini Games in Palau, national para-athlete Naibili Vatunisolo is stepping up her preparations.
The 34-year-old from Balenabelo, Nadroga, has been training five days a week under coach Fred Fatiaki as she targets personal bests in the ambulant javelin, discus and shot-put events.
“The intensity has picked up,” Vatunisolo said in an interview with this newspaper.
“We’re focusing more on my technique, especially with the javelin and shot put. I’m lifting heavier at the gym and throwing more in each session.”
Her recent throws in training have shown consistent improvement.
She’s now regularly landing javelin throws beyond 22 metres and is aiming to go even further by competition day.
Vatunisolo said training in Suva’s changing weather has been challenging but necessary.
“We’ve had a few sessions in the rain, but that’s part of it. It teaches you to adapt and stay focused,” she said.
As a first-year student at FNU’s Nasese campus perusing Certificate in Front Office Operations, Vatunisolo continues to manage her training around classes.
Vatunisolo has been a key figure in Fiji para sports for nearly a decade.
She was Fiji’s flag-bearer at both the 2022 Commonwealth Games.
