Sprint king Banuve Tabakaucoro broke down minutes after his record-breaking run at Apia Park Stadium yesterday.

He set a new Pacific Games record of 10. 31s breaking his own Games record of 10.33s set in 2013.

Away from the spectators, Banuve was on his knees. He said after receiving his medal that he was emotional because it had a lot to do with the expectation of the people back home.

“You don’t really see a lot of stories like this, you switch sports and you come back and win a medal – I don’t know what to say right now,” he said.

At the Vanuatu Mini Pacific Games in 2017, Tabakaucoro had represented Fiji in 7s rugby. This is his third Pacific Games.

The Samoans were stunned to see Banuve well ahead of favourites, and local hero Jeremy Dodson 10.48s and Tuiala Masoe 10.56s.

Banuve Tabakaucoro prays after winning the 100m men’s final on July 16, 2019.

The trio will face-off again in the 200m.

Tabakaucoro knows it will be tough.

“Jeremy is a veteran in the 200m, so right now I have to go back and reassess and plan for the 200m – its Jeremy’s strength.”

Dodson had beaten Tabakaucoro two weeks ago during the Oceania Champions.

Fijian sprinter Tony Lemeki clocked a personal best time of 10.65s.

Athletics Fiji Sprint coach, Bola Tafoou said after Tabakaucoro’s 100m break start in Townsville, they had to reset everything. He was confident that Tabakaucoro would do well given the times he was clocking during training.

Running in the Olympics is the next aim for the Bau native.

Edited by  Leone Cabenatabua

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