Fiji is a small country with a population of around 900,000 people, but it has a rich history of Olympic achievement. The nation first competed in the Olympic Games in 1956, producing some of the world’s greatest athletes.
From track and field to rugby, Fiji’s athletes have consistently achieved success at the highest level. This article will examine some of Fiji’s best Olympic athletes, their accomplishments, and how they’ve inspired the nation.
1. Jerry Tuwai
Seremaia Tuwai Vunisa MOF, more commonly known as Jerry Tuwai, is a professional rugby union player from Fiji.
He is a Fiji national rugby sevens team member and made his first appearance in 2014 at the Gold Coast Sevens tournament. Tuwai’s career has been marked with many successes.
He was part of the Fiji Sevens squad that won gold medals at the 2016 Rio and 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
His skill and dedication to the sport have earned him a place among the world’s elite rugby players. Tuwai’s success has transcended beyond just the rugby field, as he has also become a role model for the youth of Fiji.
He is seen as an inspiration to many, showing that hard work and dedication can take you places.
He has become a beacon of hope for the people of Fiji, serving as an example of how success is possible even in the face of adversity. In short, Jerry Tuwai is an impressive athlete and a role model for the people of Fiji.
His accomplishments have demonstrated the power of hard work and determination, and his incredible feats in the rugby field have earned him recognition from both his country and the world.
2. Osea Kolinisau
Osea Kolinisau is a professional rugby union player from Fiji. He plays for Old Glory DC of Major League Rugby and is a key team member.
Kolinisau is best known for his leadership and skill on the field, particularly for captaining the Fiji Sevens team to their first Olympic gold medal in the 2016 Rio Olympics.
This success was especially remarkable for Fiji, as it was their first Olympic gold medal in any event.
Kolinisau has since become a hero in his home country, with his accomplishments inspiring other Fijians to strive for greatness.
His leadership and performance have also made him a well-respected figure in the professional rugby world.
In 2020, he was even awarded the World Rugby Player of the Decade for his performance over the past decade. Kolinisau’s legacy will surely continue to inspire generations of Fijian athletes.
3. Rusila Nagasau
Rusila Nagasau is a Fijian athlete with great talent and versatility. She plays rugby union for Fiji in the sevens version of the game and is a representative soccer player.
Her skills have been recognized by the Fiji rugby team, who selected her for the 2016 France Women’s Sevens squad.
This is a testament to her hard work and dedication to the sport, and it is only a matter of time before she plays for the Fiji national team.
It is also worth noting that she is the first Fijian woman to be selected for a rugby sevens team in a major international tournament.
She is a role model for the Fijian community, showing that anything is possible with hard work and determination.
4. Samisoni Viriviri
Samisoni Viriviri Nasagavesi MOF is an incredibly accomplished rugby union player from Fiji. He has achieved great success in the sport, having played for the Fiji sevens team and winning the prestigious World Rugby Sevens Player of the Year award in 2014.
His success was largely due to his impressive performance in the 2013-14 World Rugby Sevens Series, where he led the league in tries scored.
Following his impressive accomplishments, Samisoni signed with the French Top 14 club Montpellier in order to further his career in the sport. His signing with the French club demonstrates his dedication to the sport and his willingness to pursue success.
5. Filipe Baravilala
Filipe Baravilala is a professional footballer from Fiji. He currently plays for Suva Football Club, a team in the National Football League in Fiji. He represented his home country of Fiji in the football competition at the 2016 Summer Olympics.
This was the first time that Fiji had competed in football at the Olympics, and Baravilala was part of the team that competed in the event. His performance at the Olympics was impressive and he was an important part of the team.
He is highly regarded in Fiji and is seen as an example of what can be achieved by hard work and dedication to the sport. He is an inspiration for young footballers in Fiji and has helped raise the sport’s profile in the country.
6. Vasiti Solikoviti
Vasiti Solikoviti is an accomplished Fijian rugby sevens player who achieved an incredible feat at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo.
She was part of the Fijian rugby sevens team that won a bronze medal in the tournament, making her the first Fijian woman to win an Olympic medal in the sport. Solikoviti has played rugby since childhood and has been a standout player.
She was selected to join the Fijian team at the 2020 Olympics and made a big impact with her performance.
Solikoviti was a major force on the field, and her skill and determination helped the team secure a bronze medal. The victory was a major milestone for Solikoviti and for Fijian women’s rugby.
The success of the Fijian team at the 2020 Olympics was a source of pride for the country and a testament to the hard work and dedication of the players on the team.
Solikoviti inspires all aspiring female rugby players in Fiji, as she has shown that hard work and dedication can pay off.
7. Matelita Buadromo
Matelita Buadromo is an exceptional Fijian swimmer. She hails from the islands of Moala and Rotuma and has been competing in international swimming competitions since she was eleven years old.
Her amazing accomplishments have led her to win a bronze medal at the 2012 Oceania Swimming Championships in the 200m freestyle event. This outstanding achievement earned her the honor of representing Fiji at the 2012 Summer Olympics.
Buadromo’s career in swimming has been nothing less than remarkable. She has achieved great success in a relatively short period of time, and she continues to strive for excellence in her sport.
Her hard work and dedication have been rewarded with a prestigious medal and the opportunity to represent her country on the world stage. Matelita Buadromo inspires many people in Fiji and around the world.
Her story is a testament to the power of determination and dedication and reminds us that anything is possible with the right amount of hard work. She is a role model and a true example of what one can achieve if one puts one’s heart and soul into one’s dream.
8. Miriama Tuisorisori-Chambault
Miriama Kadavu Tuisorisori-Chambault is a pioneering Fijian athlete. She was the first woman to represent Fiji at the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, competing in the women’s 100-meter event.
Tuisorisori-Chambault’s presence at the Games was a major milestone for her home nation, which had yet to send a female athlete to the Olympics. Tuisorisori-Chambault is a sprinter by trade and has been training hard for the Games.
She sought to use her presence to inspire other Fijian women to pursue their dreams and strive for excellence.
Moreover, she was determined to make her country proud by representing Fiji on the world stage. Despite her best efforts, Tuisorisori-Chambault could not make it through to the next round of the women’s 100-meter event.
However, she was nonetheless celebrated for her brave effort and for being the first female athlete to represent Fiji at the Olympics.
Miriama Kadavu Tuisorisori-Chambault’s presence at the 1984 Summer Olympics was a significant moment in the history of Fijian sport.
She will always be remembered as a trailblazer for female Fijian athletes and an inspiration to all those who strive for greatness.
9. Laurence Thoms
Laurence Thoms is an inspiring figure in the world of alpine skiing. Born in Suva, Fiji, Thoms became the first Fijian to ever compete at the Winter Olympics.
Representing his home country at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, Thoms was the only tropical nation athlete competing in the snow and ice-based games.
His participation in the Games was widely covered by the media, and he was celebrated for his brave venture into a largely unfamiliar sporting arena.
Thoms’ participation in the Winter Olympics was a source of pride for Fijians and an inspiration to athletes worldwide.
It showed that with enough dedication and determination, even a tropical nation can compete successfully at the highest level of winter sports.
10. Tony Philp
Anthony Steven “Tony” Philp MF is a highly accomplished individual who has succeeded in both the professional and Olympic arenas.
He is a former Windsurfing World Champion and Olympic sailor from Fiji and is highly respected.
He is currently a Brand Ambassador for the international outdoor magazine The Outdoor Journal and also serves as a consultant for the International Surfing Association. Tony Philp’s achievements have earned him great recognition and respect.
His Windsurfing World Championship win was a testament to his hard work and dedication to the sport. He also represented his country of Fiji at the Olympics, a great honor for any athlete.
Additionally, his expertise and knowledge in the field of outdoor activities have made him a sought-after Brand Ambassador for The Outdoor Journal and a consultant for the International Surfing Association.
Tony Philp’s success and accomplishments have not gone unnoticed, and he inspires many.
His commitment to excellence in windsurfing and other outdoor activities has made him a true leader in the field. He is a great example of what is possible when you set your mind to something and put in the hard work and dedication necessary to achieve it.
11. Cheyenne Rova
Cheyenne Rova is a professional swimmer from Fiji. She debuted on the international swimming stage at the 2017 World Aquatics Championships. In the event she competed in the women’s 100-metre backstroke event.
Rova made a fantastic effort, displaying her world-class talent and impressive technique. Her performance was met with great acclaim, and it is clear that she has a great future ahead of her in the world of competitive swimming.
Rova’s success is a source of pride for all Fijians, as she is a national hero and a symbol of what the country can achieve. Her story is inspiring, and she has become an inspiration to countless young swimmers from around the world.
12. Caroline Puamau
Caroline Pickering Puamau is an Olympic and national record-holding swimmer from Fiji. She is a two-time Olympian, having competed in the 1996 and 2000 Olympic Games.
In addition to her Olympic performances, Puamau also represented Fiji at the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester. At the 1996 Olympics, Puamau competed in the 50-metre freestyle and the 100-metre freestyle events.
She was also part of the Fijian 4×100 meter freestyle relay team. At the 2000 Olympics, Puamau competed in the 100-metre freestyle event and the 4×100-metre freestyle relay. She also set a Fijian national record in the 50-metre freestyle event.
At the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester, Puamau competed in the 50-metre and 100-metre freestyle events. She was also part of the Fijian 4×100 meter freestyle relay team.
Puamau was a strong competitor at the Commonwealth Games, setting a personal best in the 100-metre freestyle event. Overall, Caroline Pickering Puamau is a decorated swimmer who has succeeded greatly at the Olympic and Commonwealth Games.
Her impressive performances have earned her the admiration of Fijian sports fans, and she inspires many young swimmers.
13. Jone Delai
Jone Delai is a Fijian sprinter who specializes in the 100-metre sprint. He holds the personal best time of 10.26 seconds in the 100-metre event. 1990, Delai won a bronze medal in the 100 meters at the Oceanian Championships.
He won gold medals in the 100 and 200-meter events at the 1994 Oceanian Championships. Delai also represented his country at the 1996 and 2000 Summer Olympics.
His impressive track record has made him one of the most successful Fijian sprinters in recent years.
14. Usaia Sotutu
Usaia Naiteitei Sotutu is a former runner with an impressive career representing Fiji. He competed in the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich, Germany. At the time, he was the first Fijian athlete to appear at the Olympic Games.
During the Olympics, he competed in the 400-meter dash and placed 45th in the event. Usaia Naiteitei Sotutu began his running career at the technical college in Suva, Fiji. He was a naturally gifted runner who quickly rose to prominence in the country.
He was eventually selected to represent Fiji at the 1972 Olympics, an impressive accomplishment. Though he won no medals at the Olympics, Usaia Naiteitei Sotutu’s accomplishments as the first Fijian athlete to compete in the Olympic Games will always be remembered.
He set an example for future generations of Fijian athletes to follow and made his country proud. His commitment to excellence and his natural talent helped him achieve this remarkable feat. He will always be remembered for his contributions to the world of sports.
15. Paul Elaisa
Paul Elaisa is a Fijian swimmer who has achieved much success in his career. On multiple occasions, he has been selected to represent his country, Fiji. His greatest accomplishment so far was his 2012 London Olympic Games performance.
He was able to compete against some of the world’s best swimmers, and he managed to make a lasting impression.
His dedication and hard work have been rewarded with several victories throughout his career, and he is now considered to be one of Fiji’s top swimmers.
Paul Elaisa is an example of what can be achieved with commitment and hard work, and he is an inspiration to many.
16. Viliame Liga
Viliame Bale Liga was a Fijian Olympic javelin thrower representing his country in the men’s javelin throw at the 1968 Summer Olympics. He was a dedicated athlete who worked hard to achieve his goals.
Liga qualified for the Olympics with a throw of 62.32 meters, which was an impressive result for the time. The success of his performance was a proud moment for him and his country.
It was a testament to his skill and determination as an athlete and showed the world that Fijian athletes could compete at the highest level.
Liga’s performance was a source of inspiration for future generations of Fijian javelin throwers, and his legacy lives on today.
17. Henry Semiti Rogo
Henry Rogo is an accomplished Fijian sprinter who succeeded on the world stage. He represented his home country in the 1996 Summer Olympics in the men’s 4 x 100 metres relay.
The 4 x 100 meters relay is an event where four sprinters take turns running 100 meters each in a relay race. In the 1996 Olympics, Rogo and his teammates were among the 82 teams that competed.
Although they did not secure a medal, they made their mark and showed the world the potential of Fijian athletes on the global stage.
Rogo’s performance showed that Fijians were able to compete with the best in the world, and it is likely that his success inspired many other Fijians to pursue their dreams in athletics.
18. Moses Zarak Khan
Moses Zarak Khan is a prominent Fijian middle-distance runner who has succeeded in international competitions. Khan was born and raised in Fiji, where he began his running career at a young age.
He competed in the men’s 1500 meters at the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul, South Korea. This was a major achievement for Khan, as it was his first time competing in the Olympics.
In Seoul, Khan was able to put on a strong performance, finishing in the top 20 of the 1500 metres race. His success at the Olympics sparked a career that has lasted for decades, and he has since become one of the most recognizable athletes from Fiji.
He continues to compete in various international competitions and has become an inspiration to many aspiring Fijian athletes.
19. Carl Probert
Carl Harvie Probert OLY is an exceptionally accomplished athlete. He is a five-time Olympic swimmer who competed for Fiji at the 1992, 1996, 2000, 2004, and 2008 Olympic Games.
During his sporting career, he set a national record in his home country of Fiji. In addition to his Olympic successes, he also represented Fiji at the 1998, 2002, and 2006 Commonwealth Games.
During his international career, he was also a finalist at the 2007 World Aquatics Championships. Carl Harvie Probert OLY has been a source of inspiration and pride for Fiji throughout his long and successful career.
His accomplishments demonstrate not only his own talent but also the passion and commitment of the Fijian people. He is a true athletic champion, and his success is a testament to the strength of Fijian athletes.
20. Sisilia Nasiga
Sisilia Nasiga Rasokisoki is a Fijian judoka who has achieved domestic and international success. She has been a part of the Fijian judo team for a number of years and has won several prestigious tournaments.
Nasiga competed at the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester, winning bronze in the women’s 70 kg division. This was a major accomplishment, as the Commonwealth Games are held every four years and feature some of the world’s best athletes.
She also won gold at the South Pacific Games, which is held every four years, and brings together judokas from the South Pacific region to compete.
In addition, she has won gold at the South Pacific Judo Championships, an annual tournament that brings together judokas from the South Pacific region.
Nasiga’s accomplishments demonstrate her dedication to the sport of judo and her commitment to representing her home country of Fiji. She has achieved domestic and international success, which is an impressive feat.
Her successes have inspired other aspiring judokas in Fiji and elsewhere.
21. Jovesa Naivalu
Jovesa Seuseu “Jojo” Naivalu is a Fiji-American athlete who is well-known for his successful track and field career.
He is the Fiji national record holder in both the 110-meter hurdles and the 400-meter hurdles, and he has represented his home country in international athletics competitions.
Naivalu competed in the 1996 Summer Olympics and the 1996 World Junior Championships in Athletics in the 110-meter hurdles.
He is celebrated for performing in the two events and has achieved remarkable success in them. Naivalu’s accomplishments are a testament to his dedication and hard work. He has worked diligently to improve his technique and strive for his best.
His remarkable achievements have earned him recognition both in Fiji and abroad, and he is an inspiring example for aspiring athletes. Naivalu has proven that athletic success can be achieved with commitment and determination.
22. Albert Miller
Albert Barty Miller is an iconic figure in Fiji’s sporting history. Born in Kasavu, Cakaudrove, Fiji, on 12 December 1957, Miller is a former decathlete and Olympian.
His most impressive achievement is his personal best of 7397 points, which also stands as Fiji’s current national record. Miller’s career has been marked by many successes, including becoming the first Fijian to qualify for the decathlon in the Olympics.
He is well-known for his ability to master all ten events in the decathlon, including high jump, long jump, shot put, javelin, discus, pole vault, 110m hurdles, 1500m, 400m, and the 100m.
Miller’s success has been a source of inspiration to many aspiring athletes throughout Fiji. His commitment to excellence and passion for the sport has been a great example to all Fijians and a testament to the nation’s strength.
23. Ben Ryan
Ben Ryan CF is an English sports coach who has gained significant recognition for his success in coaching the Fiji sevens rugby team to a gold medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics.
He is renowned for his ability to develop and nurture sporting talent. Prior to his success in coaching the Fiji sevens team, Ryan had a successful coaching career in rugby union and rugby sevens.
He was the head coach of the England sevens team from 2007 to 2013, winning the Sevens World Cup in 2009 and two Commonwealth Games gold medals in 2010 and 2014. Following his triumph in Rio, Ryan became the Director of Elite Performance at the association football club Brentford.
In his new role, he is responsible for developing the team’s players, coaching staff, and helping them reach their full potential.
He is also responsible for developing the club’s youth academy and community outreach programs. Overall, Ben Ryan CF is a highly successful English sports coach who has achieved immense success in both rugby and football.
His success with the Fiji Sevens rugby team at the 2016 Rio Olympics is particularly noteworthy, and his current role as Director of Elite Performance at Brentford is a testament to his talents as a sports coach.
24. Gareth Baber
Gareth Baber is a distinguished figure in the realm of rugby. He is a Welshman who has made a name for himself, both as a former rugby player and as a current coach. As a coach, he is most renowned for his work with the Fiji sevens team.
Under his guidance, the team achieved its greatest success yet, winning the gold medal in rugby sevens at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. This was the team’s second Olympic gold medal, solidifying its position as a powerful sport contender.
Additionally, Baber led Fiji to its fourth World Sevens Series title. This impressive feat further confirms his ability to bring the best out of a team and make them successful.
Baber’s accomplishments have earned him much respect and admiration, and he is widely regarded as one of the most successful rugby coaches in the world.
25. Siueni Filimone
Siueni Filimone is a talented Tongan sprinter who has had the opportunity to compete in some of the world’s most prestigious track and field events.
In 2013, he competed in the 100-meter event at the World Championships in Athletics, and in 2016, he progressed to the Summer Olympics. In the preliminary round, Filimone ran a time of 10.76 seconds, but unfortunately, he did not make it to the first round.
Despite this setback, it is clear that Filimone is a fierce competitor who will continue to strive for excellence in the sport of track and field. He will no doubt be looking for ways to improve and will continue to push himself to reach his goals.
26. Tony Moore
Tony Moore is an accomplished athlete and artist. He is an Olympic long jumper who competed for the Fiji Olympic Team in the 1976 Montreal Olympic Games.
Moore’s athletic accomplishments were recognized in 2009 when he was inducted into the Fiji Sports Hall of Fame.
He is also a poet, and his work has been exhibited by the Art of the Olympians, which recognizes the artistic accomplishments of Olympic athletes.
This is an impressive success for Moore, as his artistic talents are being showcased and appreciated along with his athletic prowess.
Moore has proven himself to be an all-around talented individual, as he is achieving success both on the field and in the arts.
Conclusion
The best Olympic players in Fiji are a talented and hardworking bunch. They have achieved great success in their chosen sports and have proven to be world-class athletes. From rugby to sailing, Fiji’s Olympic athletes are some of the best in the world.
They have inspired and motivated other Fijians to pursue their sports dreams and strive for excellence.
