Middle Distance Runner Qualifies in Sprint Final

Switching from the 800 metres to sprint may not sound right but Coca-Cola Games gold medallist Waisake Tewa is up for the test.

The 20-year-old Lakenai, Gau, native trained for the 100m event three months before the Pacific Games.

He ran 10.71seconds in the men’s 100m and qualified for the finals. He finished fifth clocking 10.82s on Tuesday night at the National Stadium, Honiara, Solomon Islands.

He shares maternal links to Naboutini, Saqani.

Tewa has now shifted his focus to the next regional meet.

“It was quite difficult to switch to sprint as I have been running in the 400m and 800m,” he said.

“I thank the coaches for trusting me to trial for the 100m where I ran a personal best.

Tewa is a member of the Laucala Athletics club and coached by Bola Tafo’ou.

“There is still a lot of improvements for me, I will work on those things when I return to Fiji.

“There is different pace of running here at the PG. I have been training for both rugby and athletics back home.

“This is the start; hope I will get the chance to represent Fiji again in the Pacific Mini Games and Oceania Champions and if God willing in the next Pacific Games in Tahiti.”

Tewa also ran in the 200m heat yesterday and was also part of the 4x100m and 4x400m relay.

Feedback: sereana.salalo@fijisun.com.fj