“We were absent for five years; but we are back and we are much stronger than ever.
Cicia High School from Fiji Secondary Schools Athletics Finals after a five- year lapse.
The school brought over six athletes who participated at the Maritime Zone competition in Suva yesterday and they have all qualified for the Fiji Finals, which gets underway on Thursday at the HFC Bank Stadium, Suva.
“They are our Brave Six,” team coach, Luke Raibevu, told SUNsports during an interview yesterday.
“We were absent for five years; but we are back and we are much stronger than ever.
“The qualification of our athletes had been the subject of their sacrifice and determination,” Raibevu added.
Their senior javelin athlete Semesa Kalikalisui won gold and nearly broke the Fiji Finals record of 59.69, which was set by Jone Vosabalavu of Queen Victoria School in 2022. Kalikalisui threw a personal best of 57.86m and a no throw of 58.9m during the event.
Cicia High School senior boys javelin thrower Semesa Kalikalisui during the Maritime Zone at the HFC Bank Stadium, Suva on April 21, 2025. Photo: Josua Buredua
Speaking to SUNsports, Kalikalisui said even though he achieved a good throw, he believes that he can still do better.
“I want to throw more than 60m in the Fiji Finals. I can still do it; it is all in the mind,” he said.
Kalikalisui said he had participated in the Easter Championship and threw a 53m.
“We arrived on Thursday last week; it took a while to adapt to the weather but we are doing great so far.
“Our focus now is the Fiji Finals; we aim to win medals and break records and that is what we will do,” the Cicia High School deputy head boy said.
Long jump athlete Jone Driso also put on a good performance in the senior boys’ competition where he also won the gold medal.
Coach Raibevu said despite the challenges faced by the team, they are determined to not dampen their spirits but to create history.
“We faced a lot of problems especially in funding, logistics, accommodation and other essentials.
“Our team of coaches and school committee had to fork out money to help us to be here (Suva),” he added.
Raibevu said they are grateful for the support from parents, supporters and old scholars that went out of their way to help them.
“It is not easy to bring the team from the island to Suva; but anything is possible.
“We will not let this sacrifice go to waste we intend to bring something back home to celebrate,” Raibevu said.
He said the team has only one job left and that is the Fiji Finals.
“We have a small group of talented athletes; we are not here to make the numbers.
“We are here to win medals and put our island of Cicia on the Fiji Finals map,” he added.
Cicia High School athletes are: Kalikalisui, Driso, Pita Rarasea, Lasaro Tikotani, Luisa Baleidrokadroka and Rosalia Yalomalua.
Secondary tops
Meanwhile, Vunisea Secondary School of Kadavu took out the boys’ and girls’ titles of the Maritime Zone. VSS topped the boy’s medal tally with 12 gold, 7 silver and 4 bronze medals while the girls bagged 8 gold medals, 3 silver and 3 bronze.
Feedback: josua.buredua@fijisun.com.fj
