Work Hard To Achieve Your Dream

Boxing isn't for the faint of heart; it's reserved for those who approach the sport with unwavering dedication, prepared to invest their time and energy.” says Aminiasi Saratibau, a hopeful contender for the Olympics.

The 24-year-old Tailevu native said you have to really enjoy the sport of boxing to want to participate.

"I encourage anyone who dreams to represent Fiji in boxing at the Olympics to be willing to work hard to achieve their goals," he said.

The former Tilak High school student said he had a dream to be an Olympic Champion but his aim at the moment is to qualify for Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

"My mindset now before leaving for the Olympic qualifiers is to win a spot for Team Fiji.

Aminiasi said while in school he had asked his parents to participate in a boxing event in the west.

"My parents told me no at first so I joined a rugby league club which was helpful in instilling in me a sense of discipline and hard work," he said.

"When I finished high school, I took up studies at College of Agriculture in Koronivia."

"I asked my parents again if I could take up the sport and they agreed which is when I joined the Wailoku Riverside Boxing Club," Aminiasi said.

Aminiasi said while at the club he participated in a few weekly competitions, winning every fight he was a part off.

"I did not know that national coach Cameron Todd had noticed me and asked me to join the national training team," he said.

"I'm grateful that he has helped me improve on the technical side of my craft and his words of encouragement always makes me want to do better."

Aminiasi said while making the team to an Olympic Games was an opportunity, he is also hoping to continue his studies in Agriculture.

"School is always in the back of my mind and I hope that I can achieve this dream and continue my studies and inspire young athletes to always dream big not only in sports but plan for life after sport.

"This can happen if athletes have self confidence and believe in themselves first before relying on others," he said.

Aminiasi will fight in the 75 to 80 kg category during the Olympic qualifiers in Bangkok, Thailand in May.

National Coach Cameron Todd described Aminiasi as a strong athlete.

"Aminiasi’s willingness to learn and continuously improve is the reason why he is a part of the team that will travel to the Qualifiers," he said.

Fiji has been represented in the sport by Olympians like Thomas Schuster and Hector Hatch in 1956, Apete Temo and Isimeli Lesivakarua in 1988 and more recently Winston Hill in 2016.

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