Photo: Sprint queen Makelesi Bulikiobo. 09092711
PACIFIC track rulers Niko Verekauta and Makelesi Bulikiobo have achieved a milestone by winning five gold medals each in the 2009 Pacific Mini Games.
Fiji sprinters Verekauta and Bulikiobo were targeting a major medal haul and achieved their objective after winning the 4x100 metres and 4x400m relay on Saturday.
Earlier, the duo scooped the 100m, 200m and 400m titles.
Bulikiobo, who had achieved a similar feat in the 2003 South Pacific Games, was glad with the achievement.
“I’m happy and satisfied to win five gold medals again. I think this is a milestone especially at this age.”
The school teacher by profession had relatively no challenge in the events she took part in except the 200m dash in which she had tough competition from fellow country mates.
Bulikiobo also set a new time of 11.97 seconds in the women’s 100m.
Verekauta, who was a medal short of achieving a clean sweep in the 2007 SPG in Samoa, dedicated the glory to his family back in Fiji.
“I came here not for setting records but to represent my country and family,” he said.
The Gold Coast, Australia based athlete managed to break the 12-year-old men’s 200m record to set a new time of 21.33s. - Rashneel Kumar: Cook Islands News
Last Modified on 30/09/2009 07:14