The Zone B athletics competition held on Thursday this week saw eight colleges competing for opportunities to join the national Champ of Champs where only the top three of each division can compete.
Many star athletes are discovered each year at the inter-college zone athletics competition. For Zone B, the St Joseph College senior sprinter Johnny Key was impressive and one to watch at the upcoming Champ of Champs.
Johnny Key won the popular 100 metre dash and eased in a win for the 200 metres before helping his St Joseph College senior boys secure wins for the 4 x 100m and 4 x 400m relays.
Johnny Key is completing his final year of high school at St Joe’s and at only 17, he has his whole future ahead of him.
From the village of Lepea where he lives with his parents and siblings, Key says he didn’t expect to win. He says his faith in God gave him the strength to endure the many events of the day, and credits his success to the prayers and blessings of his parents.
“I thank God for everything because without him I would never be able to get this chance and become who I am today,” says Key, who comes across as a young man full of respect and humility.
“To be honest I didn’t expect to achieve any of these times today, and I think it is because my parents and all my family prayed to bless my games this morning before I left home;
“My parents, siblings, and my family, they all wished me well and said good luck for my games this morning,” he says with a satisfied smile.
Johnny Key wanted to specially thank the coaches and trainers of St Joseph’s College and also mentioned the support of former students who had helped him to prepare.
“My trainers, coaches and also ex- students of my school for supporting me right from the first day of my trainings until today – they came and supported us, and also a special thanks for all my private coaches and teachers. Thank you everyone.”
Samoa Stationery and Books is a major sponsor for Zone B providing trophies, prizes and vouchers for the participating schools and all the prizes winners for each division of both girls and boys.
The schools from each of Zones A,B,C and D who came in the top 3 for Senior, Intermediate and Junior divisions, will now advance to the Champ of Champs.
