From Fiji Times Online (19 November 2015)

Rotuma wants two

by Pravin Narain

YOUNG athletes from Rotuma are aiming to win two gold medals in the FMF Chow Games starting tomorrow at the ANZ Stadium in Suva.

The students from the four different schools have gathered together with a common goal of making their island proud.

Team Rotuma head coach David Pierri said they had high hopes from the athletes.

"We came earlier to Suva so that the athletes can acclimatise to the weather here," he said.

"It is a good experience for them to come and participate in the event as most of them are new.

"Back at home they had been running on the grass but here we will be running on tracks. It would be a big adjustment for them."

The athletes were battling with the heat yesterday and they were given time out to cool down at the pool. Pierri said they were banking on the Year 8 scholar Rafaele Pau'u who will be taking part in the three events.

"He is a good athlete and has what it takes to win. He ran in the Fiji Athletics Association meets last week and he ran 400 metres in 58 seconds. It is a big improvement for him. He will also take part in the 200m and long jump. He is our medal prospective.

"Other athletes also look upon him as he is one of the good runners and they look upon him to boost their morale. It is a national competition and it will be tough for the teams unlike divisional competition."

The competition starts tomorrow at the ANZ Stadium in Suva.

Go for gold … Rafael Pau'u, front right, with fellow athletes from Rotuma cool down at the Damodar City Aquatic Centre in Laucala Bay, Suva, yesterday. Picture: Jonacani Lalakobau