Bonasere caps off Team Fiji’s participation in the sport of athletics at the Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games with a personal best and a 2017 number 1 national ranking.
In the final day of athletics, Adi Cakobau School senior shot putter Mereoni Bonase putted her way to a new personal best of 12.34m, a number 1 national ranking and an 8th place finish overall in the field of 11 women. It was in the 2nd round of throws that secured Bonasere a spot in the top 8 qualifying her for another 3 throws in the final and looked set to extend her personal best however she only managed 11.65m in her 4th round and fouled the remaining 2 throws. Nevertheless her exposure to such an event and atmosphere has motivated her to pursue her God given talent.
Yesterday was also an exciting day as Makereta Naulu, Braelynn Yee and Aaron Powell also took to the tracks in the blue ribbon events of indoor athletics, the 60m. Upfirst was Aaron Powell and he failed to dissppoint as he sprinted across the finish line 2nd in his heat, improving his 60m national record to 6.96s qualifying him for the semifinals where he finished 5th behind Samoa’s Jeremy Dodson in a time of 6.87s, a new 60m national record. Also setting a new national record was ACS high school sprint queen Makereta Naulu who finished 5th in her heat in a time of 7.69s, Braelynn too also finished 5th in a different heat in a new personal best of 7.98s.
All athletes expressed their joy, excitement and utter content in representing Fiji on an international scene but more so their performances, especially with their new indoor personal bests and 4 new indoor national records.
For results, click here.
Eugene Vollmer for Athletics Fiji