Vava'u school girl Taina Halasima to sprint with the best in Rio [1]
Tuesday, August 9, 2016 - 22:12. Updated on Wednesday, August 10, 2016 - 17:12.
By Eleanor Gee
From running barefoot on a grass field at interschool competitions in Tonga to running on the track at the Rio Olympics, Taina Halasima is living the dream.
Only 18 years old, Taina is so happy and excited to compete in the 100m sprints against the best in the world in Rio.
“This is my first time to represent Tonga in the Olympics and I’m so excited to be part of it,” she said.
“I have a huge task ahead of me and I am so privileged to be part of Tonga’s Olympic team.”
“My goal this year was to represent Tonga at the Olympics and to further develop my talent to a higher level.”
Taina was born in Neiafu, Vava’u, Tonga and went to primary school at GPS Feletoa, Vava’u. She still attends Vava’u High School and is in form 6. She took time off school to take part in the Olympics receiving an Olympic scholarship to enable her to attend.
She hails from a large family and is number 9 out of 10 siblings. She has 5 brothers and 4 sisters.
She has been running since she was in class one and has continually won her races in school growing up. Taina said she had been running barefoot in sports events at Vava'u High School but when she came to Tongatapu to compete, she had to wear shoes to be able to run on the athletic track at Teufaiva Stadium.
"My running shoes were given to me by 'Ikani Taliai and he gave me two pairs of the best Nike shoes to use and I've been running in them for two years now," she said. 'Ikani is the son of Reverend Siupeli Taliai, the first Tongan Principle of Tupou College.
"I brought my very favourite pair of Nike running shoes to wear in Rio," she said.
Taina will run for Tonga on 13 August at 3.55am (Tongan time).
“Running is my favourite sport. I love it and I’m really passionate about it,” she said.
She hopes to represent Tonga at the next Olympics in Japan in 2020.