Please Stop Bullying My Elijah: Mum

The mother of 2022 Coca-Cola Games 400-metre senior boys gold medallist, Elijah Tokikivunuku, has hit back at social media bullies.

The Suva Grammar School student came under the spotlight during the final day of the event following his dive for the finish line in the 4x400 metres senior boys relay.

The team won silver while Ratu Kadavulevu School took the gold medal. Following that, his image has made the rounds on social media with different memes to depict his epic dive.

At their home yesterday, a distraught, Maraia Wedlock pleaded with ex scholars, students and supporters to stop the bullying and fooling around online.

Ms Wedlock said it was important to remember that the 2022 Coca Cola Games was for the current students.

Suva Grammar School athlete Elijah Tokikivunuku wins the 400 metres boys final after he dived across the line to claim the gold medal on Day Two of the 2022 Coke Games on August 20, 2022 at the HFC Bank Stadium in Suva. Since then, a photo of him diving went viral on social media. Tokikivunuku has not been to school since Monday. Photo: Leon Lord

“Suva Grammar School principal, Iosefa Masivue, called this morning to check on Elijah because he was concerned he hadn’t been to school since the Coke Games,” she said.

“The teacher thought Elijah was affected mentally and physically by the online bullying. But I told Mr Masivue that my son had not been to school because of the injuries he sustained during the games."

“We have seen the memes and posts made against Elijah on social media but we will not be moved easily because we serve a living God."

“Elijah does not bother or care about the memes and posts that have been made against him.”

“My teen has thick skin. My son has done his best for the school and he won medals for the school. “As a mother, I couldn’t have been more proud of him and his achievements.”

Psychologist Defends

Psychologist, Selina Kuruleca, said bullying of any sort was damaging, unacceptable and inappropriate. “It appears that most of the online bullies are adults,” she said.

“For those bullying and attacking athletes, behind the keyboards, that’s very cowardly of you, please don’t be cowards. Don’t bully. Elijah did his bit. Do your bit.”

“Bullying can lead to depression, withdrawal, suicidal ideation and behaviour."

“Is that what you bullies want to achieve? Shame on you. Elijah is the stuff that legends are made of, he is a legend."

“It’s really disgusting that it appears to be adults who are doing most of the online bullying. Please remember that could be your son, your nephew, grandson, their friend, a friend.”

No Harm in Diving

Meanwhile, Fiji Secondary School Athletics Association secretary, Vuli Waqa, said there was nothing wrong with Elijah’s finish.

“An athlete can crawl or dive towards the finish line. “Elijah is not the first athlete to have dived towards the finishing line.”

He said Shaunae Miller of the Bahamas won Gold in the 2016 Olympic Summer after she had dived towards the finish line.

“In fact, the rules of track and field state that you hit the finish line when your torso, which is considered different from your head or arms, crosses the finish line,” Mr Waqa said.

“A runner crosses the finish line when their torso crosses, which is different from their head. That’s why some runners lean forward when they cross the line, so their torso crosses first.”

Mr Waqa was not aware of the bullying online because he does not have a Facebook account.

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