In 1985 Willow Fong and Esala Teleni were named the Sportsman and Sportswoman of the Year 1985.
According to an article in The Fiji Times on December 1 that year, their selection was greeted with thunderous applause from about 600 people who attended the award ceremony at the National Gymnasium in Suva.
About 33 other athletes were vying for the most coveted awards on the national sports calendar. Governor-General Ratu Sir Penaia Ganilau presented the trophies to the winners and certificates to all contestants.
Willow Fong said she was honoured to be selected among the best in the country.
As for Teleni, he was just thrilled to be at the selection.
“It’s just really a blessing being here today, and this will certainly be something we will remember for the rest of our lives,” Teleni said.
The announcement of Fong came as a surprise for many who were betting on her husband, internationally recognised Peter Fong, to be the winner of the men’s award.
Bowler Fong finished second best with his achievements and was named runner-up, golfer Adi Sainimili Tuivanuavou was the runner-up in the women’s category.
Both the guest speakers at the night, Scottish sports administrator Peter Heatly and Australian television and sports personality Norman May, had earlier enthralled the guests with their lively speeches.
Teleni, who was captain of the national team since 1983, had given his best to the sport of rugby at home and overseas.
His high standard of performance had always been a source of inspiration to his players. National team manager Doctor Josaia Taka attributed the success of the recent Ireland/ Wales tour to the leadership shown by Teleni and his assistant Paulo Nawalu.
Teleni was first selected to play for Fiji in 1982 and since then had won 14 caps for Fiji.
Teleni, 27, was a naval officer. The Namuka-i-Lau No 8 forward was a national rugby rep in 1982 and had been captain of the national side since 1983.
During this period, he led Fiji against Sydney, Auckland, Tonga, Western Samoa, Australia, Wales and Ireland. Fong, 37, began playing bowls in 1974.
She was a South Pacific Games gold medallist in the pairs and won a bronze in the fours in 1979.
She was also a national rep to the World Bowls in 1981 and 1985, and the Mini-South Pacific Games in 1985. In 1985 she was also a Fiji rep to the Pacific Bowls Championship in Queensland.
The awards night was sponsored by the Central Manufacturing Company Ltd, The Fiji Times, Travelogue and Westpac.
