COMMONWEALTH GAMES
Fiji has always surprised the world of sport with its population of outstanding athletic talent and enthusiasm for sport. In the early days it was athletics but more recently with Gold and bronze in Manchester, its Judo athletes have surprised many while its Rugby Seven's team continues to entertain and amaze.
Fiji has always surprised the world of sport with its population of outstanding athletic talent and enthusiasm for sport. In the early days it was athletics but more recently with Gold and bronze in Manchester, its Judo athletes have surprised many while its Rugby Seven's team continues to entertain and amaze.
Amassing 19 medals since its debut appearance in 1938, Team Fiji continues to surprise the Commonwealth with some outstanding and amazing performances.
It took a lad from Tovu, Totoya, Lau in Mataika Tuicakau to put Fiji on the Commonwealth Map in 1950 with an outstanding performance in the field event of discus and shotput winning a gold and silver medal.
This was quickly followed up by Bua native Luke Tunabuna who won a silver medal in the javelin event.
Also part of the team was bronze medal winners Lionel F. Garnett, James E. Poulton and Leslie G.Brown who all participated in the Lawn Bowls competition. Mr Garnett won his bronze medal in the singles competition while Mr Poulton and Mr Brown teamed up to win bronze in the pair’s competition.
It would be 12 years later before Fiji would win another medal this time in the sport of boxing.
In 1962 Team Fiji boxers M.Evans who fought in the 75kg category and H.E.Johansen in the 91 kg category returned with bronze medals.
Eight years on in 1970, Saimoni Tamani would win a bronze medal in the 400 metres race. Saimoni would clock a time of 45.8 seconds in the final race to bring home the Bronze Medal.
Tongan born Fine Sane representing Fiji would win a gold medal in the sport of boxing in the 81 kg category 12 years later at the 1982 Commonwealth Games.
In 1998 with the introduction of the sport of Rugby Sevens, the team of Eparama Bose, Jope Tuikabe, Ro Doviverata, Rauqe Senirusi, Saimoni Rokini, Setareki Tawake, Sirilo Ragata, Akuila Tinasau, Marika Vunibaka and Waisale Serevi would bring back a silver medal.
In 2002 Judoka Nacanieli Qerewaqa Takayawa would win Fiji's second ever gold medal at a Commonwealth Games and fellow judoka Sisilia Nasiga would also win a bronze medal.
Team Fiji Rugby's Epeli Ruivadra, Iosefo Koroiadi, Josefa Uluivuda, Norman Ligairi, Ratu Saukawa, Rupeni Caucaunibuca, Saiasi Fuli and Waisele Serevi would also win a silver medal.
Four years later, Team Fiji Rugby's Apolosi Satala, Ratu Mataluvu, Semisi Naevo, Sireli Naqelevuki, Viliame Satala, Waisele Serevi, Jone Daunivucu, Norman Ligairi, Neumi Nanuku, Filimoni Bolavucu, Lepani Nabuliwaqa and William Ryder would win a bronze medal.
Fiji later participated at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow where Weightlifting sensation Apolonia Vaivai won Fiji's only medal which was bronze.
Fiji again competed at the 2018 Commonwealth Games in the Gold Coast, Australia making it Fiji's 16th appearance at the Commonwealth Games.
Fiji competed in 12 sports and made their first appearance in the Men’s rugby sevens tournament after a twelve year absence.
Weightlifter Eileen Cikamatana would go on to win the country's first ever gold medal in the sport and team mate Apolonia Vaivai would again win a bronze medal.
Rugby Sevens Men's team of Paula Dranisinukula, Mesulame Kunavula, Sevuloni Mocenecagi, Alasio Naduva, Amenoni Nasilasila, Kalione Nasoko, Vatemo Ravouvou, Eroni Sau, Jerry Tuwai, Ratu Vakurinabili, Jasa Veremalua, Samisoni Viriviri would win a silver medal with boxer Winston Hill winning another bronze medal.
In 2022, Fiji would make its 17th appearance at a Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, England and competed in ten sports, returning with two silver medals and two bronze medals.
The mens team of Elia Canakaivata, Josua Vakurunabili, Tevita Daugunu, Sevuloni Mocenacagi, Jerry Matana, Semi Kunatani, Jerry Tuwai, Waisea Nacuqu, Filipe Sauturaga, Kaminieli Rasaku, Sireli Maqala, Aminiasi Tuimaba and Vuiviawa Naduvalo lost out to South Africa in the finals.
The womens team led by Rusila Nagasau and including Raijieli Daveua, Vani Buleki, Vasiti Solikoviti, Verenaisi Ditavutu, Ivamere Rokowati, Lavena Cavuru, Viniana Riwai, Reapi Uluinisau, Lavenia Tinai, Ana Naimasi, Sesenieli Donu and Laisana Moceisawana would lose out to Australia in the finals.
Weightlifter and current IOC Scholarship recipient Taniela Rainibogi would claim a bronze medal in the Men's 96 category while team mate and Para athlete Naibili Vatunisolo would also win a bronze medal in the Women's discus throw F44/64.
Fiji was honoured to be one of only a few Pacific Island nations to host the 2002 Queen's Baton, the 2017 Queen’s Baton and later the 2022 Queen’s Baton.
The Fiji Association of Sports and National Olympic Committee (FASANOC) is responsible for organising Fiji's participation in the South Pacific Games, Commonwealth Games and Olympic Games.
