Winning three gold medals and two silvers after five months training has motivated Heleina Young to stay with athletics.

She has now set her eyes to make it to the 2027 Pacific Games in Tahiti.

Despite switching to rugby for a few years, Young made a great comeback when she returned to the tracks this year and made the team to the Pacific Mini Games in Koror, Palau.

She won gold in the 200, 400 and 4x400metres relay; she won silvers in the 4xl00m and 4x400m mixed relays.

Young was also awarded the best overall outstanding female athlete in Palau.

“I did not expect this many medals and the award I received,” she said.

“It surprised me after five months training. Honestly this is the proof that you’ve worked hard and you’ll be rewarded,” Young said after arriving into the country yesterday.

“After this performance, I am looking forward to staying with the sports and see what I can do with much more preparation.”

She only ran two 400 and 200m races before the Pacific Mini Games. Young last represented Fiji at the 2019 Pacific Games in Samoa. She said the future is bright for Athletics Fiji with the number of upcoming track stars.

“This is my first time going as a senior athlete in the team. Usually I am one of the youngest ones- this time I was the eldest female in the squad. It was quite different.

“These young athletes know what they need to do and what could be done to do better and I hope they do stick around because we have a lot of talent for the better of athletics in the future.”

She dedicated her medals to her later mother, Andrea Young, who passed away in September, 2023.

“My mother was always my biggest fan. She’ll be shouting from the stands even though I’ve told her not to cheer. She’ll make noises maybe to irritate me – I’m not too sure but I do miss that. All these five medals are for her.”

She hopes to grow further in the sport and looking forward to more training time and competition.

Feedback: sereana.salalo@fijisun.com.fj