Page 22 - IB August 2021

Olympics Olympics

OLYMPIC GLORY UNITES NATION

AND THE PACIFIC

By Alipate Pareti watch in the near future.
Captain Nagasau was elated: “We came here for a mission
When you think of Rugby 7s, the ascent of Fiji’s men’s team and that was to win the gold medal, but it didn’t go the way
to the summit of 7s heaven and their winning of almost every we wanted. However, we are more than happy with a bronze.
accolade of the fast-paced and ever-growing sport is usually That is an achievement for us as a team.”
the first thing that come to mind. However, that has changed
with the stirring performance of the Fiji women’s side, Perseverance and pride
dubbed the Fijiana, who claimed bronze in Tokyo. As for the men’s team, what can we say? They were just
The Fijiana had given notice of their vastly improved form phenomenal as they tore through their opponents led by now
in the Oceania tournament in Townsville, Australia, in the two-time gold medalist, captain Jerry Tuwai, before defeating
leadup to the Olympic Games. old rivals New Zealand 27-12 in the final match.
There, they shocked the small crowd in attendance when New finds, Jiuta Wainiqolo and Sireli Maqala dictated the
they beat the Australian team in emphatic fashion. Australia game play and while superstar Semi Radradra suffered a knee
were the defending Olympic champions, so beating them was injury later in the tournament, he was able to deliver when
a massive boost as Fiji headed over to Tokyo. the team needed him.
Once in Japan, the Fijiana came through the pools to again The road to glory was not easy for our Pacific warriors and
meet Australia in a nail-biting quarter final, eventually win- details of the hardships and challenges they faced have since
ning 14-12. surfaced.
The women then met New Zealand in the semi-final, taking As COVID-19 has affected movement, gatherings and every
the game right to the wire. Captain Rusila Nagasau—one of aspect of life within Fiji since April, the team spent more
the pioneers of women’s rugby in Fiji—led from the front, than five months in quarantine in preparations for the Tokyo
making crucial tackles in defence. At full time the teams were Games, isolated from their families and loved ones.
tied at 17-all, forcing play into extra time. The game ended Jerry Tuwai stated: “It has been a long preparation and
when the Black Ferns scored, at 22 points to 17. I give credit to our coach and management for helping us
The Fijiana comfortably defeated Great Britain in the through. With whatever the management gave us, the play-
bronze medal match 21–12 to secure their place on the ers stuck through it, and I think all the sacrifices have paid
podium. The players were all impressive with half-back Reapi off. It has been a bumpy ride, a lot of tears and pain, lots of
Uluinasau instrumental in their victories. She will be a star to obstacles for us, to leave our family... a team and I am really

22 Islands Business, August 2021