From Fiji Sun (25 April 2012)

Naomi runs for Rotuma

By Vuniwaqa Bola

Naomi Tikomailepanoni

She represented Tailevu South during the Chow Games.

But yesterday, Dravo, Bau lass Naomi Tikomailepanoni participated in the Maritime Zone athletics competition at the National Stadium.

She is a third former at Rotuma High School where her uncle is a teacher.

Yesterday she ran the 400 metres junior girls event in which she came first with a time of 1.06.66 minutes

And she hopes to better that time during the Coca-Cola Games which begins on Friday.

"I expect this competition to be tougher and different from the Chow Games competition," Tikomailepanoni said.

"I have been doing all the necessary preparation in Rotuma like swimming in the sea, morning sessions at the beach and running 10 rounds around the school ground."

The youngest of five siblings, Tikomailepanoni hopes to make her new island home, Rotuma, proud of her when the Games end on Saturday.

"I expect tough competition from Suva athletes but I'm confident that it will be a good year for me."