2024 target

THE “Beast” Semi Kunatani has made his intention to represent Fiji in the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France.

The 29-year-old Kunatani said after coming back from his overseas contract he had his eyes fixed on the next Olympics and the Rugby World Cup which was all happening in France.

“Coming back from Rio and then joining overseas clubs, I kept training to get my body up to par and ready for 7s games,” he said.

“When I returned home I took a long break from training to focus on my family. I started to gain weight but when I was invited to join my fellow players for the 10s tournament in Dubai, it challenged me.

“I am trying to get back to shape and try out for the national squad again.”

He added age is catching up, a lot of talents are unleashed and the intensity of the training has moved up.

“To get back to the national team I need to work extra hard because I know there are more young players who are much better than me that will also want to wear the national jersey.”

Kunatani began his rugby career with the Yamacia 7s club in the local 7s competition.

He was selected to join the Fiji 7s team to play in the HSBC 7s where he made his debut in Dubai in 2013.

He scored 37 tries in the 2014-2015 HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series and was named in three World Rugby Dream Teams’ (Gold Coast, Las Vegas and Glasgow). Semi signed with Toulouse in the 2015-16 season and was also part of the 2016 Fiji 7s team to Rio.

He later joined Harlequins in the 2018/19 season.

Kunatani made his debut against Italy in 2017 and played a crucial role in Fiji’s historic win over France in 2018 and played at the 2019 RWC.