Bold Move Pays Off For Moana

The Saint Joseph’s Secondary School student Moana Wind had to sacrifice moving to Savusavu with her family to pursue her dream of representing Fiji in swimming.

Last night she won gold in the 50 metres breaststroke in a time of 33.38seconds.

Her mother Kay Wind was proud of her daughter’s commitment and said it was all Moana’s personal sacrifice and dedication.

“We moved to Savusavu two years ago and Moana decided to stay in Suva with my sister.

“She’s normally up at 4.30am every morning, then to school and later in afternoon she’s back in the pool.”

Moana’s family are all in Apia to support the 17-year-old.

This is Moana’s third medal at the 2019 Pacific Games.

She had earlier won a silver in the 200m breaststroke event and silver in the 4 x 100m medley relay.

She is part of the Suva-based Orca Swimming Club.

WHAT THE COACH SAYS

It was raining gold for Swimming Fiji last night at the Aquatic Centre Faleata.

Our swimmers won 3 gold medals and 2 bronze.

Coach Sharon Smith said it all just came together last night.

“The hard work, training and just a good morale among the kids.

“The bond that we have definitely lifts the kids. We have the 23-year-old and the youngest is 15 - we all get along.”

There are five officials in the team.

“As a team we are close and that definitely makes a big difference in the results that we have.”

Smith said the support from family and the swimming clubs have made a big difference.

She is confident with such performances  more medals are expected in the final two days of competition.

MEDAL BREAKDOWN

Gold - Matelita Buadromo - 200m freestyle, Moana Wind - 50m breaststroke, 4x 100m freestyle women’s relay- Yolan Blake, Rosemarie Rova, Cheyenne Rova, Matelita Buadromo

Bronze - Epeli Rabua - 50m breaststroke, 4x100 freestyle men’s relay

Edited by Osea Bola

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