In her first international outing in the heptathlon event, Elenani Tinai has won gold for Fiji.

The Naivicula sprinter said she is keen to specialise in the event moving forward.

Tinai won four of the seven events – 100m hurdles, shot-put, 200m and the long jump.

She dedicated her first Pacific Games win to her family, especially her parents who reside in Naivicula Village, Wainibuka.

Tinai arrived in Apia last Saturday determined to win gold.

“I wanted to make my country proud and also my parents for their support.

“During the training season, many times I’ve felt like giving up because the training gets tough – but they keep on encouraging me.”

Coming into Day 2 of competition yesterday, Tinai had accumulated 2757 points ahead of Papua New Guinea’s Edna Boafa’s 2394 points.

On Day 2, she won the long jump 5.45m (686 points), she came in second in the javelin throw 30.97m (495 points) and finished 3rd in the 800m 2:36.65 (612 points)

The silver medal went to Raylyne Kanam and bronze to Boafa both of PNG. Tinai turns 20 next Tuesday and a fitting celebration is expected along with the gold win.

Fiji’s Fane Sauvakacolo was placed 4th with 3412 points while Shawntell Lockington was 5th with 2656 points.

Edited by Naisa Koroi

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