Police chief parting shot fires up Koroilagilagi
Police constable Jone Koroilagilagi Davule was farewelled by the Fiji Police Force yesterday. He departs today to take part in the 2020 Boxing Olympic Qualification Tournament in Amman, Jordan on March 3-11.
The 24-year old Natauloa, Nairai, Lomaiviti native is always proud to represent the nation and the Fiji Police Force.
“When I was in Australia recently, I was always asked as to why I was wearing the Police logo and my response was because I am a proud policeman.” Koroilagilagi, as he is commonly known, hopes to take his personal sporting achievements up a notch when he competes at the qualifiers next week. “The Commissioner of Police parting words really motivated me in my goal to become an Olympian and with his support and the support of my comrades I want to make them all proud by qualifying for the 2020 Olympic Games.
The Nadi- based policeman represented Fiji at the Commonwealth Games, Pacific Mini-Games in Vanuatu in 2017 where he won a bronze medal and was a silver medalist at the 2019 Pacific
Games in Samoa.
Koroilagilagi also had the opportunity to train renowned trainer Johnny Lewis in Sydney.
Known as ‘tough guy’ the soft spoken Koroilagilagi is focused on the task at hand and since taking up the sport in 2015.
Commissioner of Police BrigadierGeneral Sitiveni Qiliho said the support of the entire institution was behind the young boxer.
“I’ve followed his progress closely over the years because he has always been a quiet and humble achiever. So the news of his selection as one of Fiji’s representative to the 2020 Olympic Qualification Tournament came as no surprise to me.
“We will support his endeavor of becoming the first Fiji Police Olympian boxer and wish him well.”
Koroilagilai is the current light welterweight Ratu Sukuna Bowl champion. Koroilagilagi was accompanied by assistant coach Viliame Vutikalulu yesterday.