‘Use Your Talent But Don’t Quit’
Nikolau By Ravai
Looking at a bodybuilder’s poster in a gym was what motivated Jekesoni Yanuyanudrua to try out the sport.
Speaking to SUNsports, the Mr South Pacific, who is also dubbed the Fijian Superman said that was the first time he got to know about bodybuilding.
“I had no interest in the sport until I saw that poster at the Metro Gym way back in 2012,” he said. Yanuyanudrua said being the youngest of six siblings he always believed that making use of his talent was the only way forward for him.
“I played rugby as a kid along with other sports like swimming, hockey and running. When I was running I enjoyed it but I had no coach. “During the zone competition of the 2012 Coca-Cola Games I ran the 100m and recorded a time of 10.45 seconds. “But unfortunately I got injured and was undergoing rehab at the gym when I came across this bodybuilder’s poster and comparing it with my body I decided to try out the sport.” Yanuyanudrua said he made the decision to see how far he could go in the sport.
“One of my main goals ever since I fell in love with the sport is to help it grow in Fiji.
“As a student, I was not good academically but I knew that God gave me a talent that I should make use of.
“The only way to appreciate that gift is to make use of it or else it will be taken away from me.
“You don’t have to be smart but you just have to use that God given talent in you.”
The 22-year-old hails from the village of Matokana in Ono-i-Lau and was raised in a family that was not well off.
“My family struggled to make ends meet and it challenged me to become a better person when I grow up.” Although, he is from Lau, Yanuyanudrua says, he was raised in the foothills of Colo-i-Suva.
“I’m now doing body building and I hope to become a professional bodybuilder.
“My family is not rich and I was not fed on a golden spoon. I had come to a stage that I’ve to make sacrifices in order to achieve my other goals.” Yanuyanudrua said the most memorable moment was winning his first medal in a bodybuilding contest in 2013.
“That was the first contest I competed in. I always cherish that bronze medal since it was from my first contest.”
He has encouraged young athletes to keep chasing their dreams and not to give up.
“Chasing your dreams is not easy, nothing in life is easy. We need to put in more work and sacrifices if we are to go to the next level.
“Don’t give up on your dreams or let anyone say that you can’t do it.
“Be focused and always stay positive. Once you reach the finishing line there is always something higher for you to achieve next, ” he added.
WHAT’S NEXT
Mr and Miss Fiji Championship on November 17 at Grand Pacific Hotel, Suva.