THE Fiji bodybuilding team to the Oceania Championships in Australia scored a mammoth victory when they beat 10 other countries in their first international competition walking away with the Best Team Trophy.
According to an article published by The Fiji Times on August 3, 1990, the five-member team which took part in the one-day event at the Brighton-Le-Sands Hotel in Sydney not only created history, but also catupalated Fiji bodybuilding to instant recognition in the Oceania region.
After the sterling performance by the bodybuilders, Fiji was looking at hosting the next Oceania challenge and participating in more international competitions.
Team manager Patrick Fong, through whose efforts the trip came through, expressed great satisfaction with the boys’ performance and hailed the trip as a turning point for the sport in Fiji.
Fiji was recognised as one of the leading countries in the Oceania region and also a member of the International Bodybuilding Federation.
Represented by Aporosa Bogi, Tumeli Navutovuto and Iliesa Sitifano Ivara, the team was joined by John Goulding and Petueli Atalifo in Sydney for the competition.
Atalifo, a former Mr Fiji, and Goulding, winner of the Mr Teenager title and runner-up to the Mr Suva title some years back, were both working and residing in Australia.
Fong, who accompanied the team, said despite their inexperience the Fiji team was able to snatch the teams’ category against some highly-fancied sides, including Australia and New Zealand.
The Charman’s All Races Club chairman said the balance in the Fiji team and their unique posing routine clinched them the trophy.
In the individual event, Goulding won the best placing in the team, missing out narrowly on the third position by two points in the 80kg category to a New Zealander.
Bogi was placed seventh in the 70kg while Atalifo, Navutovuto and Ivara were placed 6th, 9th and 10th respectively in the 90kg category.
Fong said given the short one month notice to prepare and the fact that the Fijians were competing internationally for the first time, the results were very good.
“The Fiji boys were up against some 70 very experienced and well-prepared bodybuilders, not to mention the best in the region in one of the biggest competitions in Australia,” Fong said.
