LITIA Naiqato may be a clown, a joker even if you want, in camp
Her teammates will be erupting into an endless session of laughter whenever this lanky prop is in their midst
That’s her nature.
But watch her on the rugby field and you will be left in awe of this young woman’s finesse in her rugby skills.
Nicknamed Arnold (from the movie Terminator) since her school days, she even admits that her friends still call her by this name to date.
If only she knew that she — would one day be a terminator, but on the rugby arena
Not only does she perfect her single-hand off-loading technique but now fast becoming famous for her rather deadly attacking skills
Naiqato has played 22 tournaments for Fiji so far, and reportedly listed among Fijiana assistant coach Chris Cracknell’s top players.
But all these sporting achievements, she thanks God for His continued blessing and provisions in her life, and her parents who she said had become her biggest fans compared with their strong opposition of this sport when she started
Naiqato comes from a family of six, her being the third among four boys and two girls.
She attended Lodoni Primary School before she moved to Tailevu North College to pursue her secondary school studies.
She was introduced to soccer in high school and represented the Fiji U20 side to the 2006 Oceania play-off in Samoa where they were placed third.
In 2009, she was introduced to rugby — a sport she had learnt to love from watching Sevens maestro Waisale Serevi with his famous goose-step.
While studying automotive engineering at the Fiji National University, her interest in rugby grew and crippled with boredom of losing friends at the institute, she made up her mind to quit school and return to the village and help dad Manasa Delai on the farm.
Two years later, Naiqato at 24 years then committed herself to the sport.
She returned to join Mystic Knights (formerly the Ricketts Club), and years after that have been stories of success.
Her first national representation in rugby was in 2012, making her debut at the Asian qualifier in Pune, India.
“When I was presented my jersey before we jumped onto the field, I was in tears because I had always dreamt of playing rugby for Fiji one day,” Naiqato told Times Sport.
“It was a dream come true for me representing my country for the sport I love.
“I remembered all the hardship I faced, especially when I first switched to rugby, there was not enough support from my family.
“I know I achieved what I had wanted to achieve and that brought me joy I cannot explain. It was a feeling of satisfaction because I worked hard to provide for myself, particularly in my training needs since my family, especially my mum, always disagreed with me playing rugby and preferred that I return to school.”
Naiqato used this situation to challenge herself and stamp her mark in rugby, with or without any support.
“But I depended on prayer to the God Almighty to prepare me with whatever He would do for me.
“When I was selected to the national team, my parents acknowledged it and their support has been never-ending since. Dad has always been my supporter but it was my mum, you know mothers, always wanting the best for us.
“Today, my dad and mum are my biggest supporters.
“You should see them (parents) now. They are like my coaches and disciplinarian. Once they notice that I am slackening down in my training, they will sit me down and tell me to pull up,” she said, as she remembered being turned away by her mother whenever she would ask for bus fares to the training ground.
“Even at one stage, they were telling me what I can and cannot do, and what I can or cannot eat and I appreciate all that because for me, this meant they were behind me all the way.”
Following her back injury in Australia, she knew her chances for Rio would be far-fetched, noting the tough competition within.
“When I saw the preparation for Rio was intensifying, I kept challenging myself to keep getting better and better in whatever I do.
“To work together as a team with my teammates since this is a team sport, to follow the rules set by managements.
“These are the small things I worked on for the betterment of my sporting career and for the betterment of my team too.
“That was a huge challenge for me and the onus was on me to prove myself. I told myself that I will not back down from here. I will keep pushing until the final 12 is picked.”
Naiqato’s story is a testimony of where there is a will if the heart and mind is willing.
“I am proud of myself for not letting go of that dream even though I felt that at that time, they (parents) did not believe in me.”
Naiqato is now focused on the task ahead, which she said would not be easy.
“In my opinion, it is me who has to do my best and work hand in hand with my teammates and make the country proud. Winning a silverware for Fiji is a possible mission, which we can easily achieve if we all genuinely work together.”
* Naiqato used to walk 5km from her home in Namau to Lodoni Primary School in all her years there;
* Naiqato represented Fiji in the U20 football team;
* She played in the Asian qualifier in 2012;
* Played in the Noosa Sevens in Australia in 2013;
* She also represented Fiji in Dubai 7s;
* She represented Fiji at the World Cup in Moscow;
* In 2014, she represented Fiji in the invitational 7s in Guanzo, China;
* In August 2014, she was among the team picked for the series qualifier in Hong Kong;
* After her injury in 2014, she resumed playing in the Atlanta 7s, Canada, London 7s and the Amsterdam 7s in the Netherland in 2015;
* Naiqato also played in the SPG in 2015;
* She also represented Fiji in the Rio qualifier in Auckland, New Zealand which they won;
* This year she has represented Fiji in Brazil, Canada, Atlanta and now to Rio;
* Her three most important things in life: family, career and her people; and
* She is a big fan of Kunatani, Leone Nakarawa and Jasa Veremalua.
