Veresa Valemei of Nakasi High School was in a jovial mood after he retained his gold medal in the senior boys 1500 metres event in the Fiji finals last Saturday.

Valemei won the race on Thursday night but was stripped off his medal on Friday after Jai Narayan College made an appeal with the claim that Valemei stepped out of the track and ran on the inside.

Track referee Chris Waqa made the decision award the gold medal it to Jai Narayan College’s Peni Bulikiobo based on visual evidence provided by broadcaster Fijian Broadcasting Corporation.

The decision was overturned after Nakasi High School team management lodged an official complaint.

“I’m thankful and very happy that I’m regaining my gold medal,” Valemei said shyly.

“When I was told that I would be stripped off my medal it really affected my mental preparation in the 800 metres event on Friday.”

Valemei appreciated his coach Vito for fighting for his case to retain his gold medal. “It took five hours for our team management meeting with the Fiji Secondary school jury on Friday (last week) to overturn the decision,” he said.

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