In Fiji’s athletics history, the name Joseph Junior Rodan still resonates as a rare blend of sporting excellence and academic discipline.
On January 2, 1996, The Sunday Times profiled the late athlete, fondly known as JJ, who was then a 22-year-old decathlete standing on the brink of a promising future in the United States of America.
At a time when professionalism and financial rewards were beginning to shape sporting careers, JJ was already defying stereotypes.
A former champion athlete of Marist Brothers High School in Suva and South Pacific Games decathlon gold medallist, he was home on a short break, awaiting confirmation from the University of California, Irvine (UCI).
JJ spent two years at West Valley College on a government scholarship alongside other elite Fiji athletes.
While some struggled academically, he persevered and was set to graduate with an Associate Degree in Liberal Arts.
“I have touched a wide field in my studies including management functions, accounting, biology and other related subjects,” he said.
His father, Rodan Snr, a legendary track athlete himself, had always emphasised education.
“My advice has always been, study hard because that was your future; you would not be back competing on the track and field your whole life,” he said.
Rodan Snr took pride not only in his son’s academic success, but also in his improving performances.
“I am happy for JJ because he passed his exams and also lifted his performance.”
Since 1995 when Rodan won his first SPG decathlon gold medal in Tahiti, the Lami-based athlete kept going on.
He recorded several Personal Best (PBs) at the inter-collegiate finals.
His best for the pole vault was 4.27metres, better than the 3.18m he averaged in Fiji, and was closing in on the Fiji record of 4.30m.
“I attempted the Fiji record and almost made it. I cleared the bar, but my jersey caught the bar,” he said.
JJ cut his 110m hurdles time from 15.1s down to 14.6s and then leapt 7.49m for forth place in long jump.
“I wanted to make the Sydney Olympics in the long jump, and I am confident I could qualify.
“I was jumping 6.8m before I went over there but I trained only for three weeks for the state finals and jumped 7.49m.
“The person who won the final jumped 7.92m and I know I could qualify for the Olympics because the qualifying distance was 7.90m.”
At the time of the interview, JJ was focused on qualifying for the 2000 Sydney Olympics.
He was not looking beyond Sydney but there was no doubt the 2003 SPG was on his mind.
Nearly three decades on, JJ is remembered not just for his medals and records, but for proving that Fiji athletes could excel both on the track and in the lecture hall
