Takayawa in
FIJI judoka Tevita Takayawa, 25, has kept the Fiji Judo Federation’s Olympic Games legacy alive by qualifying for the Japan games last weekend.
The Suva-born athlete, a third generation judoka in the Takayawa family, is among judokas confirmed by the International Judo Federation to participate in the Tokyo Olympics.
Team Fiji chef de mission Patrick Bower said Fijian teams confirmed for the Tokyo tournament were rugby 7s men and women, table tennis and sailing.
“We are happy that Tevita Takayawa has confirmed his name in the Olympics,” Bower said.
“He has been training hard in Japan and it is exciting news for Fiji that he is being selected to represent us in the Olympics.”
Judo has been representing Fiji in the Olympics since 1984.
“The first judokas to go to the Olympics were Viliame Takayawa Sr and Simione Kuruvoli Sr. They were part of the 1984 games,” said former Olympian and former Commonwealth champion Nacanieli Qerewaqa.
He is Tevita’s father.
“We are delighted to continue Fiji judo’s legacy in the games. I want to thank Government, the Fiji National Sports Commission, ONOC, FASANOC and Fiji Judo Federation for sponsoring Tevita .
“His qualification for the games is the result of the hard work, the financial support and the motivation he received during his preparations towards the Olympics.
“It was a hard and challenging journey. We are proud as a family, but most of all we are glad that Tevta will be on the stage as a Fijian ambassador against the rest of the world.
“The Olympic Games is another level of competition. It is where the best of the best meet and we hope that Tevita will do well. Our best wishes is with him when he fights for Fiji against the rest of the world.”