2,463 secondary school athletes have big dreams to deliver outstanding performances and make their families, communities and schools proud in the 2018 Coca-Cola Games which starts at the ANZ Stadium today.
The special story of the Coca-Cola Games in the recent past has been the success of athletes who come in small squads because of hardships however they stand tall when they beat the favourites.
These are the schools from the interior and rural areas.
The positive trend is now emerging every year which shows the untapped natural talent of our athletes who can still perform outstandingly without the finances and professional expertise of the bigger schools.
And this is also a major headache for the schools as the medals are scattered on the medal tally.
Captain of the Natabua High School team, Shane Tuvusa says they will be under a lot of pressure to perform as the boys defending champion but they will do their best.
Tuvusa is aiming to win the Senior Boys 100m, 200m and the 4x400 metres relay.
Natabua Team Manager Tevita Baleilomaloma says despite the flood and cyclone that battered the Western Division, they are determined to bring smiles to their families and supporters back home.
Natabua has selected 68 male athletes to defend their title while they have 17 female athletes.
Prominent athletes that will feature for Natabua are Shane Tuvusa, Intermediate Boys Triple Jump record holder Kalaveti Toutou, sprinters Peni Dolavale, James Cox, Tyrone Chambers, Eseroma Waqalevu and Rasaku Neimoso.
Natabua won the boys title last year with 12 gold, 5 silver and 5 bronze.
Meanwhile, defending girls champion, Adi Cakobau School Athletics coach Antonio Raboiliku says they are up for the challenge.
Raboiliku believes the three-day competition will not be a walk in the park
Raboiliku says that they had some difficulties including injuries while some were down with dengue fever.
A few athletes want to win for their families who were affected by the recent flood and cyclone.
Some of the star athletes of ACS that will be running this weekend include Makereta Naulu, Serenia Ragatu, Marica Korovulavula, Elenani Tinai, Ulamila Koroisavou, Ana Kaitoga, Alesi Buisala, Tokasa Waqanisauvaki and Ateca Narisia.
ACS won 20 gold, 14 silver and 10 bronze last year.
They will have 60 athletes.
13 gold medals are up for grabs today including the 1500 metres finals, Junior Girls High Jump, Senior Boys Shot Put, Senior Girls Long Jump, Intermediate Boys Discus, Junior Girls Javelin, Intermediate Girls Triple Jump, Sub-Junior Boys Javelin and the Sub-Junior Girls Discus.
Meanwhile, the 100 metres heats will start at 12.15pm today while the 400 metres heats will start at 2.55pm.
The 1,500 metres finals will be held from 5.25pm today.
Shane Tuvusa of Natabua, Tony Lemeki and Keasi Naidroka of Marist Brothers High School, Malasebe Tuvusa of Suva Grammar School and Jim Colasau of QVS are the front-runners for the Senior Boys 100 metres title.
In the Senior Girls, Makereta Naulu of Adi Cakobau School, Atelaite Buna of Jasper and Arieta Casola of Suva Grammar are the favourites.
You can catch the live commentaries of selected heats of the 100 and 400 metres on our sister station Viti FM on 92.2FM and on our website, fijivillage.com starting at 1.30pm today.
Stay with us for the latest updates on the events as they unfold at the ANZ Stadium. We will also have the running medal tally every hour and interviews.
You can also send us your group shots with all your supporters gear from around Fiji or anywhere in the world to our Facebook page Fijivillage which will be shared on our website, fijivillage.com
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