Bulai Rated Texas Top 5
Fijian-born Avisake Bulai, a first year discus thrower has become one of the best thrower’s in the state of Texas, USA after falling in love with the sport via youtube video.
The 17-year-old, who is a second year student at the Midlothian High School, scooped gold medal during the UIL Class 5A Region II Spring Sports Championship at Maverick Stadium at the University of Texas in Arlington.
She defied the challenge from Waxahachie and Red Oak High Schools with a throw of 138’1 feet on April 28. The 5’10’ tall timber from Nadoria, Dreketi, in Rewa province proved to have the bloodlines and raw natural talent to be one of the next great.
“Every time I throw the discus, it makes me feel better.
I never thought I’d be a thrower, but now that I am, I’m in it to win it,” Bulai, told Midlothianmirror.com.
“My sister pushed me to try it, too. Honestly, I didn’t think I’d be that good. Don’t get me wrong, what I did today was in my best effort but I still never thought I’d be where I am today,” she added.
The idea to throw the heavy elliptical object for distance wasn’t sparked by gentle prodding from her father Usaia Bulai or motivation to surpass her sister, Tavaita Bulai; but was all born from the internet.
“Over the summer I saw a YouTube video, thought why not and tried it,” she said.
On February 18 this year she had broken the discus record set in 1979 at the Mansfield Legacy Bronco Relays at Mansfield Legacy High School where she also scooped a gold medal in the act.
The old record was held by Janet White, who threw a 115. Bulai new record stands at a throw of 116 (143’6 ft).
Bulai’s bloodlines run from her parents Usaia and Kelera Bulai, who moved to Santa Clara, California when she was in year five, 2009 moved to Abilene her freshman year.
The Bulai sisters are nieces of former Pacific Games gold medallist -long and middle distant runner Samu Bulai.
MHS second-year throwing coach Ross Hutchison praised Avisake for the future.
“This is her first year and she’s doing phenomenal things but the crazy thing is she’s still climbing,” said Hutchinson.
“There’s no ceiling to how far she can go. Everything with her is mental.
“I’ve seen one other athlete with her type of potential, but I wasn’t their coach. She is one-of-a-kind and what’s amazing about her is that this is still new to her. Once she gets a foundation and learns how to attack these meets, she’s going to be somebody people are going to know.”
Her sister Tavaita, 27, had found the sport in at San Jose City College before transferring to Trinity Lutheran College and accepting a scholarship through the National College Scouting Association.
“My sister is excelling in discus as well, we are all proud of her,” said Tavaita, who was No. 3 all-time hammer thrower in San Jose City College history; only fell 10 meters short of reaching the Olympic trials in 2012.
Avisake has now qualified to throw at the State championship at UT Austin Mike Myers Stadium this week in a bid to claim the area championship after dominating the district meet discus competition.
Track and Field achievements 2017 representing Midlothian High School
ACHIEVMENTS
- Feb 18 Mansfield Legacy Bronco Relays at Mansfield Legacy High School (HS) – gold medal
- Feb 25 Desoto Nike Invitational at Desoto HS- silver medal
- March 16 Princeton Panther Relays at Jackie Hendrcks stadium – silver
- March 25 Carter Shootout (Eddie Payne Relays) at Jessie Owens – gold
- **April 12 District 10 AAAAA Track meet at Lancaster HS – gold (***this is her best with an all-time record of 143.6ft) this throw had registered her name in the state all-rounder. She is currently in the top 10 in the state of Texas. She’s number 5 at this moment.
- Apr 20 District 9 and 10 Area meet at Lancaster High School- silver
- ****Apr 28 AAAAA Region II track meet at University of Texas- Arlington – gold medal
Finals
– She has earned herself the status- School Champion, District Champion and Regional champion in Discus throw. She has one more to be held next week May 11-12. It’s the big one in the state.
May 11-12 UIL State Track and Field at University of Texas- State Capital Austin.
