NAIBILI Vatunisolo Tagicakibau never planned to become a para-athlete.
The 34-year-old from Balenabelo, Nadroga, is now one of Fiji’s top para-athletes in javelin, shot put and discus, but her journey began with an accident in 2010 that changed her life.
“I never thought I’d compete again,” she said.
“But in 2016, my coach Fred Fatiaki introduced me to para-athletics, and that’s when everything started.”
Naibili has represented Fiji in international competitions including the World Para Athletics Championships, the Commonwealth Games and the 2024 Paris Paralympics.
Her proudest moment was winning a bronze medal in the discus event at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in England, team Fiji’s fourth medal of the competition.
She also set a new Oceania record in shot put at the Paris Paralympics.
Her journey hasn’t been easy. After her mother passed away in 2023, she nearly gave up.
But her coach and father kept pushing her forward.
“My biggest supporters are my parents. My mum was my strength and after she passed, it was very hard. But I kept going,” she said.
Now a first-year student at FNU’s Nasese campus, Naibili is studying for a Certificate in Front Office Operations. She trains around her class schedule.
At the Fiji national championship at the HFC Bank Stadium, the last trial for the 2025 Pacific Mini Games, Naibili qualified in shot put and javelin, improving her javelin throw from 21 metres to 22.55m, far above the 17m qualifying mark.
“I’ve been working hard on my technique and gym training. The improvement in my javelin throws shows that.”
Naibili thanks her family for the support and encouragement given to her in her training.
“I want to thank my family, friends and my dad for always supporting me,” she said.
Now she looks forward to the Palau Mini Games from June 29 to July 9.
