COMBAT sport took its toll on Tevita Tui who, according to The Fiji Times of September 4, 1984, had progressive blindness,
The report provided an update on his fundraising, adding Tui planned another fundraising run for the Disabled Trust, from Navua to Suva.
A week earlier, Tui ran from Nausori to Suva with a group of supporters, including national rugby flyhalf Acura Niuqila, in a bid to raise funds for the trust.
Tui, 32, impaired his eyesight after spending eight years in the ring, four of them as a professional during which time he won 30 out of 35 fights. However, three months after beating Tongan Nelson Taufa in 1978, he began losing his vision.
The Public Works Department plumber found himself without work shortly after and relied upon a $23-a-month welfare cheque. “I want to do something to help the country, especially disabled people,” Tui said.
“I know what it’s like to be a top sportsman and then to be crippled so that one’s career is cut short.
“I want to help people from all sports, and I invite as many people as possible to join the trust,”
Tui said he was still collecting money pledged to him for the last race and hoped to have at least $1000 before embarking on the 30-kilometre Navua run.
“I want all the money collected as soon as possible as I want to run from Navua on the first Saturday of December.”
Tui said he was also trying to go to the United States for an operation which could restore his eyesight.
The former middleweight hailed from Lau but was born in Natewa Bay, Vanua Levu.
Tui said those interested in helping him raise funds for the trust could contact him.
The trust members were Stan Brown (chairman), Kirk Jennings, Francis Brynes, Jo Toga, Samu Yavala, Mei Gauna, Elizabeth Fisherman, Sakiusa Bose, Peter Lomas, Gabriel Singh and Tui.
