Vateitei Wins First Pacific Games Gold Medal
"I dedicate this gold medal to my parents and the coaching staff of this formidable team where things are put into proper place."
Tuesday 28 November 2023 | 12:11
Elenoa Vateitei dedicated her gold medal win to her parents Makenisi Beta Vatetei and Joe Fabiano.
The Namuka, Bau, Tailevu native has maternal links to Navuti in Moturiki, Lomaiviti, did won the gold medal with the time of 2.50.42 minutes.
She beat Anne Cairns of Samoa and Norfolk Islands' Ada Nabauer in the women's Vl 500metres at the Sol2023 Pacific Games at the IUMI Waterpark, Honiara, yesterday.
She made her debut at the 2015 Pacific Games and competed in the 2019 Games in Apia, Samoa.
"I have been winning silver but this is my first gold medal, it's about time," Vateiteti said.
"I dedicate this gold medal to my parents and the coaching staff of this formidable team where things are put into proper place."
Today, she will compete in two races in the women's V6 500m and V6 women's 1500m.
Meanwhile, Team Fiji's Jone Rakai finished sixth in the men's Vl 500m final.
Super mum Salome Tabutalei, 63, led the Team Fiji in the women Vl2 500 metres to clinch the bronze medal behind gold medal winners Tahiti and New Caledonia who took out silver.
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