Sharon set to make history as first Pacific female to run in 42.2km Olympics Marathon

Whatever the outcome, Sharon Firisua will write history for her country and the Pacific region at the Olympics level. The Solomon Islands long distance is looking forward to run in the 42.2km race in the Tokyo Olympics as she’ll be the first ever Pacific women to compete in the event at the Olympics.

Sharon who is now in Tokyo is part of a small Solomon Islands team that will take part in the games which starts this weekend after it was moved from last year due to COVID-19.

Though she’ll be competing against the world’s best, Sharon is looking forward to setting a new benchmark for Pacific women in the event.

When asked about her readiness she said: “I am ready for it due to the hard trainings I have done with my coach Naoyuki Fujiyima who really helps me. Though the 42.2km is a tough race in the long distance event, I believe in myself that I can do my very best to set a bench mark for the Pacific women,” she said.

Sharon’s race will be on 7^th of August at 7am Tokyo time.

The Pacific Games gold medalist was selected to run the race in the Olympics because she was the winner of the 10km race during the 2019 Pacific Games in Samoa.

Meanwhile one of the biggest sporting brands, Asics, has stepped into to support athletics, including Sharon.

Speaking to SBMOnline, she said: “I am so lucky enough that athletics sports is one of the sports sponsored by Asics. That’s why I get my racing uniforms and shoes.”

Sharon will be wearing her ASICS gear in the marathon in Tokyo on 7 August.

News@SBMOnline2021