Mustafa Fall will break Fiji’s long standing drought in field events at the 2019 Pacific Games in Apia, Samoa.
This was after the former Ratu Kadavulevu School student broke the longest standing national men’s discuss record held by Mesulame Rakuro last Saturday.
Fall threw a new distance of 53.04 metres at the NJCAA D1 nationals in USA erasing Rakuro’s 51.84m set at the Cardiff Commonwealth Games in 1958.
The Arizona, USA native who has maternal links to Nakasaleka, Kadavu, also set a new national record in the men’s shot put event early in March during the US University Outdoor National Championship. He threw a distance of 16.21m for Coffeyville Community College.
Athletics Fiji president Joe Rodan Snr said: “It is a great day for Athletics Fiji and building- up to the Pacific Games. Fall looks good in winning the gold for Fiji in the discus and shot put events.
“Fiji’s weak areas are always on the field in particular shot put and discus throw,
“We haven’t won any gold medals in these two field events for a long time and with Mustafa’s record we are surely getting those two gold medals,” Rodan said.
“He’s competing at the highest level of competition in the US. Fall is the best field athlete we have and he’s really excelling and we are happy for him.
“Fall has done great achievements for Fiji and will definitely continue at the Pacific Games.”
Rodan is predicting that Fall will set new records in Apia come July.
“Expecting him to do close to 60m in discuss and shot put I won’t be surprise for him to throw 19m. His young, his got he built and will definitely do wonders.”
AIM TO WIN
Athletics Fiji is taking 19 athletes to Samoa and aims to win 12 gold medals for Fiji.
“12 gold medals in line with our strategic plan, next Pacific games our aim is to be on top in terms of track and field we lost it from 2009. This is the reason our qualifying standard was very high.”
SEAVULA WITHDRAWS
Female sprinter Sisilia Seavula has withdrawn from the team due to work commitment.
“She got a job offer with Fiji Airways as a flight attendant so our advice to her is to go for it.
“She can attend another Game but this is her opportunity for a secure job. She’s got a job and we are happy for her,” Rodan added.
Edited by Leone Cabenatabua
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