05/05/2026
This team trained without shoes.
They ran up gravel hills barefoot.
There was no special diet, they ate whatever was provided, and sometimes it wasn’t enough.
No mobile phones.
Only a few track shoes, throwing shoes, and jump shoes shared between them.
No recruitment.
All they had was each other, and a dream to be champions.
A team with so little support, yet through hardship, they rose and made it possible.
I’m sharing this because in my years of coaching, I’ve never coached a team with this level of discipline. Not once did I hear a complaint after tough sessions. Sometimes I could see it on their faces, they wanted to quit, but deep down they knew: hard work beats talent.
At the Coke Games, they arrived still with limited gear. They saw other athletes fully equipped, tracksuits, canvas ,competition shoes, headsets, rollers, everything.
The boys said,
“Sir, keitou madua ira qo sa kaji vaca nodra yaragi… raici ira warm up tu…”
I told them,
“Io, nodratou qori. Kedatou talega va yaragi.”
“Sir… eh??”
“We got each other. Block out the noise. This is just another training session, just with more athletes and a bigger crowd.”but in this session give your 110% .
“Boys, sa donu?”
“Sir.” 🤝
“Let’s go out there, compete at our best, and enjoy the games. God has seen our struggles and heard our prayers.”
And just like that, they ended a 33-year drought, winning the 2026 Coca-Cola Games boys title.
This victory was made possible by the Class of 2002, for trusting a young group of coaches, and by the support of the school and parents.
Vinaka vakalevu to the Vulinitu family for giving us the opportunity to turn a dream into reality.
Bullet Academy United
