Marist Brothers ‘Feels No Pressure’
Marist Brothers High School aims to do better than its last outing in the Fiji Secondary School finals (Coca-Cola Games), says team manager Josaia Waiwalu.
He indicated yesterday there was no pressure as they are not the defending champions.
Most of the athletes are also taking part in various sports at the moment including rugby league, swimming and cricket.
“The energy the boys have shown and the enthusiasm for the respective sports has been very positive,” he said.
“It just shows that they want to participate and it has helped our preparation for athletics as well.
“We are hoping for an improved performance despite the fact that we did not have the Coca- Cola Games for the past two years.
“But we hope for this time around, we will go for an improved performance.
“We are excited about the opportunity we are going to get this year.
“We still have the same athletes from last year and the year before – especially for the junior and intermediate boys.”
Marist’s favourite blue ribbon runner Xavier Lee got injured about three weeks ago.
Waiwalu indicated they have other athletes who would step-up.
“The boys know the challenge at hand, because we are not the defending champions obviously.
“But we know with thorough preparation and the positive mindset, we will definitely better our performance this year.
“For us it’s quality over quantity. I think we are trying to zoom in the athletes that we know who can perform and will perform on the day.
“We work with what we have. I think that’s what makes Marist different; we develop our own talents and we ensure that we keep preparing them for the big stage.
“We have a few other boys who are under the radar at the moment, there is no special names or anything.”
Claudius won 13 gold, 11 silver and 12 bronze medals.
Alphonsus finished second with 11 gold, 8 silvers and 10 bronze, Augustine was third with 7 gold, 14 silver and 11 bronze and Lambert House was fourth with 7 gold, 5 silvers and 5 bronze.
Blue ribbon
Navidamu, Macuata native, Sefa Ravula, won the senior boys 100 metres final. He shares maternal links to Navetau, Tunuloa, Cakaudrove.
Ravula indicated the win was a surprise. He clocked 10.84 seconds.
“Honestly, I did not expect to win that event,” he said.
“But I got just through my mechanics and managed to get the win.
“I will need to do more preparations and be ready for the zone. Not sure about my time but I will try to keep up with the pace.”
This year will be his second Coca-Cola Games after it was cancelled for the last two years due to COVID-19.
He last participated in the 100 metres in 2019 but won no medals and hopes to bag one at the Fiji Finals.
“I just want to take the blue ribbon,” Ravula said.
Meanwhile, Ratu Kadavulevu School and Adi Cakobau School are the defending champions of the Coca-Cola Games.
The Fiji Finals will be held from August 4-6 at the ANZ Stadium, Suva.
