Coke Games 2019: Self Confidence Pushed Me To Victory, Says Karan
Fiji rep Petero Veitaqomaki who represented Fiji in the 4x400m relay team at the 2018 Commonwealth Games and also at the 2018 Oceania Athletics championship simply failed to match-up to Karan.
Wednesday 17 April 2019 | 16:24
Yeshnil Karan of Tavua College wins the senior boys’s 1500m final on April 16, 2019. Photo: Ronald Kumar
Tavua College’s Yeshnil Karan created the first upset of the 2019 Coca-Cola Games when he beat national rep and Marist Brothers High School’s Petero Veitaqomaki in the 1500 metres senior boys final at the ANZ Stadium, Suva last night.
Veitaqomaki who represented Fiji in the 4x400m relay team at the 2018 Commonwealth Games and also at the 2018 Oceania Athletics championship simply failed to match-up to Karan.
The Yaladro, Tavua lad was not deterred of running against Veitaqomaki who had won the 1500m gold medal at the 2017 Pacific Mini Games in Port Vila, Vanuatu.
Karan clocked a time of 4:09.03 minutes to beat Veitaqomaki who came in second with a time of 4:21.46 mins while Tomasi Delana of Nadogo Secondary School won bronze.
Karan said that he always believed in himself.
“I did not see him as a national rep but I trusted myself and I had faith that I can win gold medal,” he said.
“He was not a threat to me but I played my techniques well, I trained every day and I gave my best.
“I dedicate this win to my parents, family and everyone back in Tavua.”
Karan and Veitaqomaki will run again in today’s 3000m race.
Edited by Leone Cabenatabua
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