Well, that is the question we will be asking ourselves until we will get to find out on Saturday, 9th July at 2.30pm at the Melanesian Championships in Suva.
After having spent the last 2 months at the Oceania House javelin thrower Leslie Copeland arrived back in Fiji welcomed by his wife and two-year old son. It’s been a tough time away from the family and especially his two-year-old, Leslie said, but it motivated him to train even harder. Leslie and his Coach James have been funded by the IOC, Fiji Government and OAA to train and compete in Australia for 2 months for Olympic preparation.
The consistently good training opportunities have resulted in increasing results in a number of high class competitions in Taiwan, Cairns, Townsville, Brisbane and the Gold Coast.
Leslie had spent 3 months at the Gold Coast previously from January until April which resulted in an overall improvement of 7 meters and a new personal best of 81,76m. – Only a few centimetres less than the Olympic Qualifier of 83,00m.
The last chance to hit the Olympic Qualifier will be at the Melanesian Championships in Leslies home country, Fiji. “I am very excited to compete at home, I really want to throw the Qualifier.” It will also be the first time for him to compete in front of his family and friends in 12 years, the 28-year-old said. “The last time they saw me throwing I was still in High School. It will be a huge difference this time.”
