Lagonilakeba sets focus on rugby
Ofa Lagonilakeba has left aside her track shoes and swimming costume to focus on rugby. The 18-year-old played her first sevens tournament with Lilian Amazons at the McDonald’s Coral Coast 7s last weekend.
The former Natabua High School (NHS) sprinter won gold in the 200 meters final in last year’s Coca Coca Games before representing Fiji in swimming at the Junior Pan Pacific championship in Hawaii later in the year.
In October last year, she captained the NHS Under-18 to win the inaugural Weet-Bix Raluve trophy.
She is currently a member of Fiji Rugby Union’s High Performance Unit (HPU).
“I dropped swimming to focus on my health,” she said.
“I did not know that later on I will see myself in the Raluve championship where we created history.
“My cousin, Talei Uluinakauvadra introduced me to rugby; we are close friends and her father, Tirani Uluinakauvadra assisted us.
“It’s amazing seeing these girls come together in this sport and how I see my talent and speed works for rugby.
“My aim is to try and make it for the Fijiana Under-20 and also to the World Cup.”
Lagonilakeba indicated her parents banned her from playing rugby until last year after she fractured her nose during a rugby league game.
“I have the passion to play rugby but I had an injury while playing rugby league in Nadi.
“I fractured my nose and took a year for recovery, that was why my parents banned me from playing.
“Last year I was allowed to play again and I was really grateful.
“Training is tougher in rugby, it’s a learning process ; I am young and still have a long way to go.
“We have so many plans this year; I will play for Nadi in the Marama championship and also looking forward to the Nawaka 7s on February 3-4.”