Francis Bakaniceva of International School Suva was honoured to be given the opportunity to represent Fiji at the Pacific Mini Games in Palau.

The Games will be from June 29 to July 9.

The 17-year old will be competing in the men’s 200 metres event.

He recently won the gold medal during the Fiji Finals competition in Suva last month.

“I was very proud of myself and how far I’ve gone,” he said.

“My mum (Kelera Bakaniceva) is really proud of me since the passing of my father. She’s been the biggest supporter that I have so I take that to my heart.”

Bakaniceva acknowledged his mother’s endless support and love.

“Everything I do out here is for her and her hardwork, also representing my family,” he said.

“I’d like to give thanks to God for giving me all the strength for everything that I’ve done.”

Bakaniceva was adamant that his school has more potential students that are capable athletes.

“I hope by going to Palau can motivate them to push for bigger dreams and passion, it doesn’t have to be limited to sports,” he said.

“If they can tell that someone their age is going out reaching regional levels, hopefully that’s enough to inspire them to reach bigger levels in whatever they choose to pursue.”

Bakaniceva is focused on setting a new personal best time at the Pacific Mini Games.

“I’m really hoping that next year’s Cokes Games I’ll break the 200m record and try to push for the 100m record,” he said.

“I think if athletes don’t set that goal in their mind that they call impossible then there’s no point in trying even to break it or even setting goals.”

Bakaniceva indicated that an athlete’s progress is determined by their own ability.

“For me personally as an athlete, I think I speak on behalf of athletes is definitely mental health, how well you perform and how much pressure is put on you,” he said.

“If you perform badly, you think the whole world is going to end but it’s really not. It’s just one hurdle at a time, you just have to go over it and everything goes back to God, keep reaching back to him and he’ll take down one hurdle each at a time with you.”

Bakaniceva indicated that representing Fiji at the Pacific Mini Games will be one of the biggest achievements in his athletics career.

“I’m hoping that it’s one of my stable foundation of achieving a good track career,” he said.

“I hope that Team Fiji performance would be great in terms of bringing Fiji and the Oceania region to the top.”

Feedback: ioane.asioli@fijisun.com.fj