Despite the struggles faced by Sereana Bakeibau’s parents to support her participation in the Coca-Cola Tailevu Zone, she remained focused and determined to achieve the gold medal today.
Bakeibau of Wainibuka Secondary School won gold in the 3,000-metre Open Girls’ race.
This is her second gold medal during the Tailevu Zone, as she also won gold in the Intermediate Girls 1,500-metre race yesterday.
Bakeibau hails from Nayavu Village in Wainibuka, Tailevu.
Teammate Melita Marama settled for silver, while Lusiana Davila from Dawasamu Secondary School walked away with bronze.
In the boys 3,000-metre race, Lesua Cama of QVS won gold, Sakiusa Raitukutuku of QVS claimed silver, and Watisoni Navunivalu of Tailevu North College took bronze.
In the 400-metre sub-junior girls’ category, Masil Naivakacelo of Wainibuka Secondary finished first, Emele Duraga came second, and Meretabu Nataliga settled for bronze.
In the junior category, Eseta Senikila of Tailevu North College won gold, Melai Koroitubuna of Wainibuka Secondary took silver, and Ilisapeci Alofia secured bronze.
In the intermediate category, Alesi Kulamaidrau won gold for Natovi Secondary School, Esita Naiyabasali of Naiyala Secondary claimed silver, and Ralusiana Bolai of Tailevu North took bronze.
In the senior category, Mekula Matea won gold for Naiyala Secondary, while Dawasamu Secondary’s Kelera Seru and Adi Me Radinibeqa took silver and bronze, respectively.
In the boys’ sub-junior grade, Ratu Viliame Narara of Queen Victoria School won gold, Tuluke Tiko of RKS won silver, and Samisoni Caucau of QVS earned bronze.
In the junior grade, Timoci Mataqaru of QVS claimed gold, Mesake Baivou of RKS took silver, and Michael Tito of QVS settled for bronze.
In the intermediate grade, Timoci Cakautabu of RKS won gold, Josua Koroi of QVS won silver, and Sione Tamaifuna of Tailevu North won bronze.
Looking at the medal tally, Ratu Kadavulevu School leads the boys division with 9 gold, 6 silver, and 6 bronze, QVS is second with 8 gold, 10 silver, and 9 bronze, while Tailevu North is third with 2 gold, and 1 silver.
Tailevu North leads the girls division with 9 gold, 6 silver, and 4 bronze, Dawasamu Secondary School is second with 4 gold, 5 silver and 4 bronze, while Wainibuka Secondary School are third with 2 gold, 1 silver and 5 bronze.
The Tailevu Zone is underway at the HFC Bank Stadium in Suva.
