Fiji's Drotini lifts to SPG glory

The South Pacific Games has it's first track star.

Fiji school girl, 14 year old, Akesa Drotini brought the house down with a storming run to win the women's 5000 metres event.

Three laps from the gun the diminutive school girl surged to the lead and in withering pace held off the charge of pre race favourites Sophie Gardon of Tahiti and PNG's Poro Gahekeva.

Drotini was never headed and withstood a late charge by the defending champ and record holder Gardon, before crossing for the first women's gold of the games.

The Fiji fans erupted and Drotini was carried off the track, shoulder high by Fiji Athletics team manager Joe Rodan.

Drotini's time: 18:37.65

Earlier Papua New Guinea's Sapoli Yao ran a clever and well-executed 3000 meters steeplechase in 9:41.48 to take the first men's medal on offer.

The victory seals a frustrating games campaign for Yao at this level, he's always burst out of the start to be run-down later in the race.

Rodney Gapirongo of Solomon's finished for the silver and Pierre Bourret of Tahiti took the bronze.

The first women's field event went to Cooks Islands discs thrower Tereapii Tapoki whose 53.7 effort put Tonga's Ana Po'uhila into second place after a series of foul throws ruined her chances.

Glenda Polelei for New Caledonia took the bronze.

On the track, the oldest man in the field, 39 year old Jone Delai of Fiji qualified fastest for the men's 100 final.

Should he win on day two of competition, it'll be a unique way for him to celebrate his 40th birthday.