Dream comes true for Solikoviti

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Fiji’s Vasiti Solikoviti runs with the ball in Fiji’s women’s rugby sevens semifinal match against New Zealand at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Saturday, July 31, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan. (AP Photo/Shuji Kajiyama)

Support your girls.

This was the message from Paula Solikoviti, Fijiana 7s rep Vasiti Solikoviti’s father as the side made history at the Tokyo Olympics by bringing home a bronze medal.

Solikoviti said Vasiti had always dreamt of winning a medal at the Olympics and that dream was only made possible through the support of her family and her faith in God.

“She never gave up on that dream and when she told me she wanted to play rugby I told her ‘okay let’s start training,” he said.

“We set up a small gym at home with only weights to help her build up her body and the rest was all her.

“She woke up every morning and trained.

“We worked on her game plan and did our best to help her be a good rugby player.”

The Teci, Yasawa, villager said seeing Vasiti play so well on the biggest sporting event in the world was a proud moment for her family.

“She brought so much happiness to us.

“Even though she could have come home with gold because we still believe the girls deserved that win against New Zealand, we know she still did her best.

“She brought a lot of pride to her family, to her Vanua and to her country.

“Va proved that with sacrifice and hard work you can achieve your dreams.”

Solikoviti says the 27-year-old was already looking ahead to the Hong Kong 7s next year.

“She won’t be with us for long before she goes back to training.

“I know the kind of sacrifice you have to make to be the best and we will support her through it all.”

The Fijiana team are expected to arrive back into the country this week.

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