Suva Grammar School’s Abraham Mallam claimed the intermediate boy’s 1500 metres gold medal during Day 1 of the Coca-Cola Games at the ANZ Stadium, Suva yesterday.

After hitting the finishing line, Mallam said it has been months of hard training, sacrifice and dedication.

It has finally paid off,” he said.

Mallam stopped the clock at 4:27.81 minutes while Ratu Ka­davulevu School won silver with a time of 4:28.41min and Marist Brothers High School’s Allen Raibiriki settled for bronze with a time of 4:32.77min.

“I was emotional after receiv­ing my gold medal and looking back at all those sacrifices I have made,” he said.

“To come here and win gold is not easy, it takes months of prep­aration.

“For me it started last year dur­ing the off season period. It took me that long to come here and stand on the gold medal podium.

“I faced a lot of ups and downs, but that just gave me extra con­fidence.”

Edited by Leone Cabenatabua

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