FOR Fiji 7s flyer Samisoni Viriviri, his return home later this week will be different experience all together compared with his past home reception.
The 2014 World Sevens Series player of the year is looking forward to a fairytale homecoming where his little angel will be patiently waiting for his arrival.
Though baby Vikaili Nasagavesi will not be aware of his dad’s arrival and achievement but for the Fiji 7s golden boy, the home visit will be a special one.
Soon after helping the Fiji 7s team to create history of winning Fiji’s first ever Olympic medal, Viriviri dedicated his gold medal win to his little angel.
He said he just couldn’t wait to see his little baby for the first time.
The France-based was touring with the Fiji 7s team when his wife Elenoa Bolea gave birth to their first child.
For someone who had a fair share of struggle during his early days, it was a double celebration for Viriviri with the birth of his little angel and the Fiji 7s gold medal win in Rio.
And when asked of how special the gold medal meant to him and his young family, he said “This gold medal is dedicated to my baby daughter Vikaili Nasagavesi.”
“I thank the Lord for blessing me with my daughter and also giving me the strength to play well and help my teammates win the gold medal.”
Viriviri also thanked the people of Fiji for supporting the team through their prayers.
“I thank the Lord for his guidance and for giving me the power to win the gold medal.
“Also I thank the people of Fiji for their prayers which really helped the team to fulfil our target.”
Viriviri is one of the few Fijian Olympians with a humble beginning.
He was singly raised by his mum Vikaili Rabale for the past 15 years after his dad was separated from his mum.
But like all mothers who wanted the best from their children, she never gave up in trying to provide the best for Viriviri and his other siblings.
In my earlier interview with Rabale in 2014, the 45-year-old said his rugby hero had improved the family’s standard of living.
Rabale said Viriviri had achieved a lot in his rugby career and thanked the Almighty God for blessing her family.
She said the family endured a lot of difficulties during Viriviri’s early life and was grateful that this humble upbringing helped to shape his boy’s rugby career.
“Sami was still in primary school when I was separated from my husband,” said Rabale in our 2014 interview,
“I faced many challenges raising Sami, we faced financial hardships and at times we hardly had enough to eat.
“We went through hard times and I always told Sami we have only one father who is close to us and that is our Almighty God ? he will give us what your father could not.
“I didn’t believe that Sami would come this far and I thank our good Lord for blessing my family.”
Viriviri who is the namesake and grandson of former national rep Viriviri started his rugby career at Dratabu Vilage in Nadi.
The success of his grandfather who was a member of the Fiji team that defeated the British Lions in 1977, inspired this soft-spoken flyer to be the man he is today.
He started his career with the Dratabu rugby team while a still a 19-year-old and moved to Suva to play for Lomaiviti club and Suva in 2010 before switching to Nadroga.
His rugby career blossomed with the champion Nadroga team and was later selected in the Fiji 7s team.
Viriviri made his debut at the 2012 Gold Coast 7s and since then stamped his mark in the Fiji 7s team at the HSBC Sevens World Series where he became the first Fiji 7s player to win the then IRB 7s player of the year in 2014.
His impressive 7s outings caught the attention of Montpellier in the France rugby Top 14 competition before answering the call of duty to represent the country at the Olympics.
He played a vital role for the national 7s team and helped the side to create history in winning Fiji’s first ever Olympic Games medal.
