A promise fulfilled
LIKUCEVA FIGHTS HER WAY BACK
FIJI Airways Fijiana 7s rep and Olympic bronze medalist Laisani Likuceva is set to make her return to the HSBC 7s Series after being named in Saiasi Fuli’s side for the Vancouver 7s tournament next weekend.
The 25-year-old pulled out of the national team in February last year but promised coach Fuli that she would be making her return to the side.
“I was overjoyed to hear my name called out when coach Fuli selected his side because I have been working hard over the past few weeks in hopes of making it back to the team,” she said.
“I was pregnant at the time so I had to pull out of the team, but I promised coach Fuli that I would make my return to the team once I’ve given birth.”
She said returning to intense training after months of not stepping on the field was no easy task, but her love for the sport was what motivated her to overcome the daily challenges in doing so.
“It wasn’t easy for me, especially since not being on the field or doing any sort of training for the past few months.
“I didn’t think I would actually make the team because of the tough competition among the players for certain positions in the squad.”
“Straight after giving birth, I went back to training, and I’ve never backed down despite how hard it was.
“And now I want to thank coach again for this opportunity to prove myself again and represent my country.”
With a few days left before the Vancouver 7s gets underway, Likuceva said the side is looking to book a spot in the semi-finals and improve their ranking from the Perth 7s earlier this month.
“That’s our goal and we are adamant in achieving it though it will not be easy.”
The Fijiana are in pool B alongside Australia, Japan, and the USA.
They face the United States at 7.30 am next Friday in their first match, followed by Australia at 12.46 pm Friday before playing Japan at 6.15 am on Saturday.
Meanwhile, the Fiji Men will take on Spain at 11.20 am Friday in their first match, they will then play Canada at 4.44 pm Friday before taking on Argentina at 10.33 am Saturday in their last pool game.