Training hard, studying harder: Coke Games gold medalist succeeds in Year 12 exams

Discipline, sacrifice and consistency have paid off for Coca-Cola games gold medalist Brieanna Rabakewa, who has successfully passed the Fiji Year 12 Certificate Examination while competing at elite level.

The Swami Vivekananda College student scored 325 out of 400 in the FY12CE, balancing her studies with intense training and competition.

Rabakewa, from Lomaiviti, represented Fiji at her first Pacific Games in Honiara, Solomon Islands, where she won bronze in the women’s discus. She is also a back-to-back gold medallist in the inter-girls discus at the Coke Games in 2024 and 2025.

She said managing schoolwork alongside training was challenging, but her exam results reflected the sacrifices she made.

“I feel incredibly proud and grateful. I thank God first and foremost for His guidance — without Him I am nothing,” Rabakewa said.

“Passing my exams means a lot to me and my family because it represents all the sacrifices, late nights and hard choices we had to make to balance training, school and responsibilities at home.”

She admitted there were moments of self-doubt.

“There were times when I felt overwhelmed, but I kept pushing. Seeing my results made everything worth it,” she said.

Rabakewa encouraged other student-athletes not to believe they must choose between education and sport.

“It won’t be easy, but discipline and consistency make a big difference,” she said.

“I’m not perfect at managing my time, but I try — and the results always pay off.”

She plans to complete her final year of high school this year and hopes to represent both her school and Fiji one last time as a student.

“I’m also looking forward to competing alongside my younger sister, who starts high school this year. This is my final year, and I want to make it count,” she said.