THIS festive season is unique in its special judo term —— pin drop silence.
For the Takayawa family, the recent visit of Nihon Gakuen High School Judo head coach Kiyofumi Manda, commonly known as Manda Sensei will be one that starts a new journey into this dark world.
The atmosphere at home will be one to remember as Manda Sensei was not greeted by the Takayawa parents.
Manda Sensei first visited Fiji in 1991 where his Fijian friend, the late Viliame Takayawa Sr introduced him to the tradition Fijian lifestyle —— and was even convinced to celebrate his honeymoon in Suva.
Over the weekend, the 61-year-old Japanese visited the Takayawa family home without his best Fijian pal, Takayawa Sr, who passed away in 2010 and his wife was also laid to rest this year.
According to Nemani Takayawa, the visit was an emotional one; “Manda Sensei came home without meeting our parents.”
Ever since Manda Sensei, who is known to the Takayawas as their “Japanese father”, first visited Fiji in 1991, last week’s visit was the first where both parents were not present.
“It was very emotional,” Nemani said.
“The atmosphere at home was silent because our parents were no longer there to greet him. After our dad passed away in 2010, our mum has been greeting him whenever he visits but not this time.
“It’s only us that greeted him. It was different unlike before when our parents were there.”
While there was a time for everything, Nemani said they were happy to continue the relationship.
“Nothing changed in terms of our relationship. Manda Sensei is like a father to us, he told us that we will continue the relationship and we look forward to it.
“He always tells us that he is our Japanese dad. He treats us as his own and we find that very special.”
Nemani added his other siblings usually visit Manda Sensei’s family in Japan.
“Sometimes we travel to Japan to visit his family and sometimes they came here. We’re so happy to see him again but this time without our mum and dad for the first time.”
The relationship, established 23 years ago, has been stronger and stronger than before. Nemani said the sport of judo has created a special link between the two families and Fiji’s judo family was reaping its fruit.
Manda Sensei trained former Fiji champion Nacanieli Takayawa at Nihon Gakuen High School in Tokyo where he is the current Judo head coach.
Nacanieli became a Commonwealth gold medallist and has made Fiji proud in every judoka way.
Another Fijian in Josateki Naulu — Fiji’s current top judoka has been training in Japan.
“Our relationship has grown in years. It’s not only our family that has reaped its fruits but also the judo family in Fiji. Josateki Naulu is also training in Japan on scholarship just from special ties between our late dad and Manda Sensei.”
Nemani said Manda Sensei had challenged his other siblings to continue spreading the gospel of judo in the country and follow the footsteps of their late dad.
Takayawa Sr, who hails from Tovu on the island of Totoya in the Lau Group, was born in Vatukoula in 1949 and took to the judo mats as a young 17-year-old.
In a competitive career spanning over 20 years, he competed with distinction at national, regional and international arenas including the South Pacific Games, the All New Zealand Judo Championships and the Oceania Championships in the 1970s and 80s.
In 1971 he won a bronze medal at the South Pacific Games in Tahiti, in 1979 he made a home crowd proud when he became the first Fiji judoka to win a gold medal at a South Pacific Games in Suva.
In 1987 he added another bronze medal to his collection at the South Pacific Games in Noumea, New Caledonia.
As a 4th Dan Black belt in Judo, Takayawa was proud to don the Fiji colours at the Pan Pacific Judo Championships, the Los Angeles 1984 and Seoul 1988 Olympic Games, the Edinburgh 1986 Commonwealth Games, the US Open Championships and the 1987 World Judo Championships in Germany.
In recognition of his achievements and standing as a judoka, FASANOC selected Takayawa as flag bearer for the Fiji Team at the opening ceremony of the Los Angeles 1984 Olympic Games.
He was also inducted into Fiji’s Hall of Fame in 2006.
