WALKING on the footsteps of your great grandfather and ancestors is something very unusual these days, but for Ratu Savenaca Nabeka Latianara, it is his passion to represent the country in heavyweight boxing in the Oceania region and at the Olympics.
The journey would not be easy for him as the names of his grandfather Ratu Filimoni Naliva and great grandfather Ratu Marika Latianara were once famous heavyweight boxers in Fiji, their names have since faded away with time.
Savenaca, who is enlisted with the British Army Forces, comes from the great boxing family in the country and has high aim of taking the family legacy back to where it once adored.
He had hung his rugby boots and took over the boxing gloves not only to follow the family tradition but he also wants to make the country proud.
“In my secondary school days, I normally played rugby and at the provincial level as well,” he said.
“After passing my fitness test and being asked to join the British army, It was the only way I can support my family,” said the 28-year-old corporal, who now pledge his allegiance in the Royal Regiment of Scotland.
“I quickly became part of our regiment rugby team and at the same time join our boxing team which proved to be a great success trail I have to follow.
“I have played rugby for local clubs such as Edinburgh and Peebles.” Latianara said.
Life had other plans to see a member of the boxing family reunite with the sport they wew once icon in despite not having any interest to box in his early life.
“I have never boxed in my life or even entered a boxing ring when I was in Fiji. All I knew I came from a family with background of heavyweight boxers from my grandfather and great grandfathers in my village,” he revealed.
“In all my life, I was playing rugby from primary up to provincial level and having a dream that one day I would wear the white jersey and represent my country as most young people’s aspirations in Fiji.
“In 2009 my officer in command advised me to present myself to the boxing team A company 2 Scots. This was an army request which meant command in reality.”
Life is like a seasaw balance as one can never predict what would happen to them the next moment just like for Savenaca where he had to follow the command of his seniors but little did he know that the command would be turning pot into passion as his sports career.
“I entered into the spirit of the sport the old heritage of my great granddad and family spirit of boxing came alive in me and that Fijian warrior fired up.
“I realised that I could entertain the sport and enhance my sporting abilities which helped the Regiment achieved their dream of having a heavyweight champion in 2014 of which I am the first officer to achieve that,” he enthused.
“I wish to continue this line of champions for my country Fiji despite my boxing career stalled on several occasion over the next few years due to operational tour for Britain in Afghanistan.”
Just when he thought his boxing career has come to an end, Latianara injured his leg. His destiny had other plans to reunite with a true boxer in the sports that connect him to his ancestors.
“Upon returning from tour, a bad break in my leg looked like it would bring an end to my sporting future but I thank God that I came back stronger,” he added.
“It’s an honour and privilege to box for my great country Fiji and my hope is to bring further ammunition to an already explosive boxing team and heritage as my grandfather also had a heart of a great champion as is the heart of Fiji.
“I believe the sport in the country is heading in the right direction and my hope that they open outside assistance and influence to develop the skill level of our Fijian warriors that we have in the sport to the next level with next year’s Rio Olympics in mind.
” We should take a big lesson from the Fijian 7s team that they have used the system of seeking development from outside assistance.”
The former Nasinu Secondary School student has been sacrificing a lot for the country of his allegiance, for his commanding officers through which he managed to get into the sport and has been living in Edinburgh, Scotland for the past seven years. He has been boxing at the Edinburgh Boxing Academy.
“I have the privilege of representing my platoon, company and regiment through this privilege,” he said.
“I learnt a lot about camaraderie and personal development in responsibility of being part of a team and to be part of the great achievement of that team.”
The Sorokoba lad had a dream to represent Fiji in the sport of boxing and he attributes his dream to his father, who made his dream of seeing his great grandfather in Savenaca.
“My father had inspired me in my career with his love and commitment to his country which I take it as great example.
“I will continue to walk on that path. As a husband and a father, his commitment and perseverance to do the right thing in developing his family to be true and integrals to their community and to the nation is a must.
“He is very committed to his Christian values which is the source of blessing to all of us,” he said.
“I believe the DNA has been passed on to me through my father.
“The boxing heritage of his family has been bestowed on me. I believe all young man should have a father figure to look up to and be inspired.”
He is training six times a week with two sessions and at times to see his dream come true he even goes beyond his limits.
“My coach and I believe in spiritual development as a door to open opportunity before a training session, second is our mental fitness to be able to see and believe what you will achieve and that is to be a champion.
“One has to develop a code in the mind that reach champion and our physical development is where we train our speed, the stealth, the boldness and courage of the warrior in me,” he revealed.
It is destiny that always have plans to unite one with their dreams, but for some it takes sometime to achieve just like Savenaca, as he awaits for that historic day on which he will fight in the famous Fiji colour and refreshes the name of some of his great grandfathers.
