Young Waisake Tewa is eyeing to represent Fiji at the 2028 Olympic Games but in a different sport.
Tewa was Fiji’s lone representative in athletics during the Olympic Games in Paris where he rubbed shoulders with some of the fastest men in the sport.
He ran a time of 10.73s in his heat and while many may want to go back for a second taste, Tewa has other plans in mind.
The Lomaiviti sprinter, who shares maternal links to Saqani on Vanua Levu, where he was brought up wants to play for the Fiji 7s team in the next four years.
“I had certain goals set out, one was to take part in the Olympics in athletics and then move on to rugby. I’ve always played rugby before moving to athletics, so my plan is to wear the white jersey in the next four years and represent the Fiji 7s team,” he shared.
The 21-year-old did not miss any of the Fiji 7s team’s match while in Paris.
“At that moment, I saw myself in their shoes, I imagined myself running there and winning gold for Fiji 7s. I watched all their games until the final, it wasn’t easy for me seeing them lose in the final, but a silver is still something to celebrate.”
Tewa has even got the backing on his favourite rugby 7s team.
“My favourite rugby 7s team is South Africa because they’re a very disciplined team. I met them at the Games Village, took pictures with them and they also gave me some rugby kits including a boot and a jersey. They thought I was part of the Fiji 7s team, but I told them that I was part of athletics but planning to go over to rugby in the next Olympics,” he shared.
Tewa said after careful thought and advice from legends such as Jerry Tuwai, he is determined to fight his way into the Fiji 7s team and to make the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.
