Tuva Fulfils Childhood Dream
Winning medals at the Coca-Cola Games have always been a dream that for Adi Cakobau School top athlete Francis Tuva had since childhood.
Watching top athletes on television run the tracks during her primary school days, had inspired her to take up athletics.
Now in one of Fiji’s top schools in athletics, she couldn’t be any prouder.
“I feel so happy and excited but I am so thankful for the support of family and friends,” she said.
“This was my first time to participate in the Coca-Cola games. I chose to participate this year because I wanted to become a confident person when running in the tracks and to know what I am capable of.
“It always had dreams of winning medals at the Coca-Cola games.”
The 16 year – old hails from Malake in the Province of Ra with maternal links to Natogadravu village in Tailevu.
She had won gold medals in the Intermediate Girls 200 metres, 400 metres and 4×100 metres relay.
She also won the overall Best Female Athlete during the 2022 Coca-Cola games.
Challenges
She said training was hard leading up to the Coca-Cola Games as balancing her studies and training was a challenge.
However, with the support of her family and friends in school, she managed.
“In my class, five of my friends always support me and help me update my notes, homework and studying for the exams that we had before the cokes,” she said.
“We would wake up every morning around 4.30 for training as well as in the afternoon,”
After her win at the Coca-Cola games, she said her family was very happy and proud of her achievements.
Ms Tuva looks up to her older sister for inspiration as she also won medals in the Coca-Cola games during her year.
She is the youngest of six siblings.
Ms Tuva hopes to become a coach someday to help train the future athletes of ACS.
She dedicated her win at the Coca-Cola games to her family especially her parents who are her greatest supporter.
Her advice is to never give up on your dreams.
“Even though you go through hard battles in training or academic, always remember to put God first in everything you do. Always have faith and believe yourself that you can do anything.”
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