TEAM Fiji gathered at the Holiday Inn on Saturday, August 15 for the Commonwealth Games Thanksgiving Dinner, closing out the Glasgow 2026 campaign with certificates, speeches and a welcome home.
The Government’s message
Minister for Youth and Sports Jese Saukuru opened the formal program, welcoming the team home on behalf of the Prime Minister, Cabinet, and the Government and people of Fiji. He thanked the athletes for representing Fiji with courage, discipline and determination.
“As a Government, we will continue to invest in our young people and in sport because we believe sport can change lives,” he said.
Mr Saukuru told the room that Team Fiji’s achievements in Glasgow went beyond the medal count, pointing to the commitment, sacrifice and sportsmanship the squad showed across the fortnight.
Rewards for the medallists
The minister announced that the Government of Fiji will award $15,000 to Taniela Tuisuva Rainibogi for his gold medal in the men’s 110kg weightlifting, and $5,000 to Jasmine Daunakamakama, who became the first Fijian woman to win a boxing medal at a Commonwealth Games.
Rainibogi set three Commonwealth Games records on his way to gold, in the snatch, the clean and jerk and the total. Daunakamakama took bronze in the women’s 57kg after winning her opening bout and her quarter-final.
Beyond the podium
The two medals sat alongside a fortnight of performances that will shape what comes next. Yeshnil Karan ran a season’s best 4:12.28 over the Men’s One Mile, the fastest of his career at a Commonwealth Games and a marker for a middle-distance program that has been building for years. David Young became the first Fijian swimmer to reach a Commonwealth Games final, finishing sixth in the 50m Freestyle.
Anahira McCutcheon broke the Fiji record in the 100m Freestyle and reached three semi-finals. Samuel Yalimaiwai broke the national 50m Breaststroke record.
Gerard Takayawa finished seventh in the +100kg judo, one win from a bronze medal contest. Rusiate Matai cleared a season-best 2.05 metres in the High Jump final, Sitiveni Konataci threw a season-best 27.54 metres in the Men’s Discus F42-44/F61-64 final, and Rajnesh Prasad beat a former World Champion on the bowls greens on the first morning of competition.
Certificates for the whole team
Every member of Team Fiji received a certificate recognising their participation and contribution to the Games. Athlete certificates were presented following the minister’s address, with entourage certificates presented after Chef de Mission Ajay Ballu spoke.
Ballu, FASANOC President Cathy Wong and CEO Vanessa Kilner each acknowledged the team’s performance in Glasgow and the work behind it.
Saukuru also acknowledged the coaches, team management, officials, medical team, sponsors and stakeholders for their work in preparing and supporting the team. He encouraged the athletes to use Glasgow as motivation for what comes next, and to keep pursuing excellence.
Partners and sponsors
Cathy Wong led the partners and sponsors appreciation, with certificates presented to the organisations that back Team Fiji.
Team Fiji Partners: Fiji National Sports Commission, Ministry of Youth and Sports, Fiji Sports Council, Olympic Solidarity and ONOC.
FASANOC Sponsors: Star Printery, The Fiji Times and Fiji Water.
Official Suppliers: Legend, JAD Travel and Marsh.
Friends of Team Fiji: Motibhai.
The President closed the formal program with the vote of thanks before the evening moved to celebration.
Team Fiji returns from Glasgow with a gold medal, a bronze medal, national records in the pool and the first Fijian swimmer to reach a Commonwealth Games final.
The next target is the Pacific Games, and the road after that runs to Brisbane 2032.
