Former Suva Grammar School sprinter Niko Verekauta will go into the New Year with more confidence after winning his race in the 4th round of the Battle of the Cities in New Zealand.

Verekauta, the Olympic Scholarship athlete at the Oceania High Performance Training Centre won the 400 metres final, from the outside lane in 49.17 seconds.

He was up against Samoa's Aunese Curreen and Arnold Sorina who were out matched by the long distance runner.

Verekauta will have his final competition of the 2007 Calendar year tomorrow, but may face a tough challenge from Vanuatu's Moses Kamut.