Niko wins 400m in NZ
Friday, December 21, 2007
That is his personal best. At the South Pacific Games Verekauta clocked 47.18sec.
At the Melbourne Commonwealth Games last year, his best time was in the semi-finals when he managed a 46.28sec.
Nothing is impossible and I am confident of qualifying for the Olympics, Verekauta said.
To represent Fiji and to compete there with distinction by doing a personal best time is my aim for 2008.
The 2007 Oceania Grand Prix overall winner has been backed by Athletics Fijis Jo Rodan.
Rodan said Verekauta had great potential and should make the qualifying time.
Niko has been one of the best athletes Fiji has produced in recent years and he has the mix of a very good runner, Rodan said.
I believe he will be able to make the cut and he should even be able to do a low 45 seconds which is 45.1 or 45.2.
He is a world class athlete and the training and the environment he is in is helping him get better.
Rodan said there was still time to go and if Verekauta does not make the qualifying mark, he still has a chance to get in through wild card.
Other elite athletes vying for the Olympics include Iliesa Namosimalua, Leslie Copeland and Makelesi Bulikobo.
The trio are based in Brisbane and Rodan is adamant they will better their performances with the atmosphere.
There are no hiccups and all they do is train and get all the proper support, Rodan said.
Copeland, whose personal best in the javelin is 72.5 meters, is training with a coach whose athletes have hit the 80m mark.
The qualifying mark is 78m and I am confident with the training Copeland is getting he will be able to hit the mark, Rodan said.