At 57, Fijian Paralympian para table tennis player Mere Rodan continues to defy expectations as she prepares to represent Fiji at the 2025 Pacific Mini Games in Palau.
With only 19 days left until the competition, the mother of six, who was left paralysed from the waist down in 2006 due to sepsis, says she is determined to make the country proud once again despite a late start to preparations.
“We’ve just started our physio sessions. I wish we started earlier, like the other teams, but we’re making the most of the time we have,” Rodan said in an interview.
Rodan’s journey in para sports began in 2014 when she was introduced to table tennis through the “Smash Down Barriers” program.
Within six months of picking up a racket, she was competing at the 2015 Oceania Championships, where she stunned the region by defeating the top-ranked Australian player.
Her rapid rise continued with a historic appearance at the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, where she became one of Fiji’s most celebrated para-athletes.
Originally from Sinuvaca Village on the island of Koro, Rodan said sport has transformed her life after years of pain and hardship.
“Before table tennis, I was just lying around. People tend to forget those with disabilities,” she said.
“But once I found this sport, I had something to wake up for again. I said to myself on the first night of training, ‘I want to be a champion.’ I guess that has happened,” she said with a smile.
Rodan credits her family for their unwavering support.
Now preparing for what could be her final major regional outing, Rodan says she hopes to inspire others living with disabilities to believe in themselves.
“If you enjoy something and commit to it, anything is possible.”
Meanwhile the Pacific Mini Games will be held from June 29 to July 9.
Team Fiji will depart the country on the June 27 with the iTatau expected to be held on Wednesday.
