Akosita Poulter was emotional when she won a silver medal for Tailevu North College in the senior girls shotput event. She threw a distance of 11.39 metres. “I’d like to dedicate this win to my late dad John Randall Poulter,” she said. I know it’s hard but at least I made him proud not forgetting the old scholars and teachers as well. “I’m proud to represent my school, family, my village Naisaumua and Yasana Tailevu. Its a privilege to win a medal .” The 18-year-old was also part of the women’s national cricket team that toured New Caledonia to compete in the Pacific-France T20 women’s cricket championship. The team secured third place. “My motivation is to at least keep going, it’s hard but keep trying and never stop till you get something,” she said. “The preparation was really hard as we only had one week of preparation after the conclusion of the Tailevu Zone. We gave our all to prepare for the Fiji finals as its not simple but it was great.” Poulter said her family advised her to put God first and listen to her elders. “I managed to compete at the grounds and in class so I do well in both in academic and sports,” she said. “I could continue with sports in the future as a career option. It’s either cricket or rugby either way I’ll go with whichever takes me forward.” Poulter plays rugby union for her school under 18 in the Lock position and she also plays as a Prop in the Rugby League for the Lami Steelers. “It is good to be athletic and it’s nice to be a sport woman,” she said. “My fallback plan is to pursue a career as an mechanical engineer.” Poulter hails from a sporting family; her older siblings Lynda Poulter and Mitchell Poulter play rugby for the Camakau team and Vannes Cub in the Na Soko tournament and French Top 14 competition respectively. “I would also like to dedicate this medal to my cricket team as well because most of them were also high school students,” she said. “With whatever you do, always be positive, think positively and keep on pushing with whatever you’re doing up until you reach what you wanted. Never give up.” ioane.asioli@fijisun.com.fj