Duo Aims To Fill Big Shoes At Pacific Games

Two young athletes are eager to get the opportunity to claim the title of Pacific Sprint king after the retirement of current Pacific Games reigning sprint champion Banuve Tabakaucoro.

Waisake Tewa and Joshua Daudravuni have been tasked with the opportunity to continue Team Fiji's dominance in the sprint events that include the 100m, 200m and 4 x 100m relay.

The 20-year-old Waisake Tewa is from Gau, Lomaiviti,and shares maternal links to Saqani, Cakaudrove.

Tewa said that with the withdrawal of Banuve from the Pacific Games, he knows he will have huge shoes to fill.

"Banuve has set a standard along with other athletes like Jone Delai, and now it is up to us to make sure that we keep those standards," he said.

The former Saqani High School student had to make the move to Suva to pursue his dream to represent Fiji in the sport of athletics.

"I enrolled in Nakasi High School after COVID so I could compete and train with other athletes," he said.

"It was during this time I got the opportunity to train and learn from coaches like Bola Tafo'ou and also learn from one of biggest inspirations, Banuve."

Fellow teammate and sprinter Joshua Daudravuni said it would be one of their biggest challenges to maintain the standard set by former sprinters.

"We are lucky to have some of the best coaches in Fiji, who continue to encourage and push us to perfect our technique and training," said Joshua.

20-year-old Joshua, who is from Noco, Rewa with maternal links to Lomaloma, Vanuabalavu said they were ready to represent Fiji and will leave nothing to chance.

"Our coaches have told us that Fiji has a reputation to maintain in the sprint events, which is welcome pressure for us.

"Waisea and I look forward to this opportunity to showcase what God has blessed us with and hopefully make Fiji, our parents and supporters proud," he said.

Joshua first appeared on the Athletics Fiji radar while representing Ratu Kadavulevu School before moving to Ratu Sukuna Memorial School in 2022.

"I hope to make the most of this opportunity given to me and pay back the faith of the selectors," he said.

Both athletes will be participating in their first-ever Pacific Games.

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