2021 The Year For Tuwai
NI think it has been a very good year not only for me but also for the Fijian sevens team. I married the love of my life; and have achieved a lot of things because of my teammates, coach and management.
Seremaia Tuwai
o man is an island says SUNSports choice for 2021 Sportsman of the year, and colourful sevens Fijian captain Jerry Tuwai as he sums up his achievements.
2021 is his best year because apart from winning his second Olympic gold medal he also married his sweetheart and mother of his three children Mereani Folau.
Tuwai debuted for the national side at the 2014 Gold Coast 7s.
The 32-year-old Buca man’s achievements include being the 2019 World Rugby sevens player of the year and is also the recipient of the Player of the Decade award.
“I’ve reached a stage that I have learnt a lot of things, reflected on mistakes and this year personally, it has been a good one for me,” Tuwai said.
“I think it has been a very good year not only for me but also for the Fijian sevens team.
“I married the love of my life; and have achieved a lot of things because of my teammates, coach and management.
“Rugby is not an individual sport, it is a team sport and the help of our coaches and trainer, physiotherapist and my family I was able to accomplish it.
He added that no one is self-sufficient in sports, thye rely on each other in order to thrive on the field.
Tuwai is the first sevens player to be rewarded for his achievements by the Government who bought him a residential lot at Tacirua East Subdivision and $33,300 for the construction of his home.
Like the rest of the gold winning gladiators Tuwai also bagged an additional $33,000 as initially promised.
Tuwai acknowledges the coaching staff for their support and contribution to his rugby career in strives to bring home the Olympic gold for the second time.
“Winning the Olympics was the pinnacle of everything that we were building.
“For me, my refection for the year; with the COVID-19 pandemic it was the sacrifice, tough times leading to the Olympics and the help of the coaches, Gareth Baber, Nacani Cawanibuka, William Kwoong and Fijian rugby family pushed us to be the best.
He is back in the Fiji sevens training squad preparing for the Malaga 7s in Spain on January 21-23.
Meanwhile, Tuwai will lead his Barbarian side to the Fiji Rugby Union Super 7s series on January 7-8 at Lawaka Park, Sigatoka to impress newly appointed coach, Ben Gollings.
“I came back two weeks ago, I’m now working on my fitness,’ he said.
“To be honest I am not really fit right now but I am looking forward to next week’s series. I will train hard so I can put my hands up for selection for the Malaga sevens.”