Bulai a great athlete until the end: Rodan
Former Pacific Games gold medallist, long and middle distance runner Samuela Bulai has passed away.
The Nadoria, Dreketi, Rewa native was called to eternal rest in December last year after battling a long illness.
He passed on at his residence in Wainibuku road, Nasinu leaving his wife, Alumeci Bulai, children, grandchildren and great grandchildren in mourning.
Bulai represented Fiji at the 1971 and 1975 Pacific Games in Tahiti and Guam respectively where he won gold, silver and a bronze. In the 1971 PG he won a gold medal in the 1500 meters where he clocked 4 minutes 3.5 seconds (CR), and a bronze medal in the 800meters (1 minutes 55.5 seconds).
In the 1975 he was part of the Fiji team that claimed silver medal in the 4 x 400 meters relay with a time of 3 minutes, 24.93 sec). Others in the team were Bula Tora, Richard Kermode and Joe Rodan Snr.
His team mate and one of the top
athletes of his time, Rodan Snr said Samu was a great athlete and was an example of dedication and hard work.
Rodan added that the late Bulai contributed a lot to the successful running of Athletic in Fiji.
“He won numerous medals for Fiji and I was fortunate to accompany him to numerous games where he set an excellent example to us young athletes coming into the sports,” he said.
“He was a generous and friendly person and was always willing to make us feel at home during any athletic meets.
“He will surely be missed but it’s the people like him that make Athletic a well-known sport during our time. May the good lord give him a place in heaven where he rightly deserves to be for the work he has carried out in this world.”
Bulai’s nieces are Tavaita and Deborah Bulai who reside in Texas, US.
They compete in the Hammer throw event.
They said that their uncle was an inspiration in sports.