SACRIFICING sleep to keep up with schoolwork and training is part of life for 16-year-old Josiah Croker, but the teenager believes the effort is worth it as he prepares to represent Fiji at the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games.
The Marist Brothers High School student will compete in triathlon in Senegal from October 31 to November 13. He will also carry the national flag alongside swimmer Grace Khelan at the opening ceremony.
Croker’s selection follows a series of results. He won youth gold at the 2025 World Triathlon Regional Development Cup in Fiji before claiming bronze in the open mixed relay at the Pacific Mini Games in Palau.
This year, he finished ninth among 21 competitors in the elite men’s event at the Regional Development Cup in Tahiti and 13th among 25 athletes in the men’s open Pacific Games test event.
But behind the medals and placings is the challenge of managing life as both a student and an athlete.
“There have been times where I had to sacrifice a lot of sleep in order to balance my training and study,” Croker said.
Triathlon requires him to balance swimming, cycling and running while keeping up with schoolwork.
“My preparation has been going pretty well, being able to balance all three disciplines in my sport, along with my schoolwork,” he said.
Croker began as a swimmer before cross-training brought him into triathlon. An important influence was his older brother, Nikotimasi Croker, who represented Fiji at the Commonwealth Games and other regional competitions.
“He represented Fiji in the Commonwealth Games and stuff, so I just took inspiration from him,” Croker said.
Now, Josiah has the opportunity to make his own mark internationally.
A development camp in Tahiti gave him a target after he recorded a personal best of one hour and 30 minutes in the sprint-distance event. He hopes to lower that time to one hour and 10 minutes in Dakar.
However, he is not allowing the pressure of international competition to dictate his approach.
“My expectations, I’m not really expecting much, just only focused on my performance and the way I display myself out there,” he said.
His family and Fiji’s triathlon community have played an important role in his development.
“My support from my family has been really great. We have a really great support system, not only from my family, but from the triathlon community in Fiji, helping out a lot,” he said.
For young athletes hoping to follow a similar path, Croker believes determination and support are important in pursuing a sporting dream.
“If you have a dream or desire in a sport, I would tell you to work hard towards it, because everything is achievable with God and with family, you can achieve anything,” he said.
In Dakar, Croker will have the chance to build on his achievements. His medals and international results tell part of the story; the Games will offer an opportunity to test himself and show young Fijians what can be achieved through hard work.
Alana
Alana
Josiah Croker (back row, second from right) with Team Fiji athletes and officials along with representatives of the Motibhai Group of Companies after receiving hygiene packs last week. Picture: ALANA ELBOURNE
