20-year-old Waisake Tewa, who rides his bike from Nakasi to the HFC Bank Stadium for athletics training will be flying the Fiji flag in his first Olympic Games and he understands the daunting task ahead of him.
The 100-metres sprinter says he is aware of the calibre of competition he will be facing, running alongside some of the best and most experienced athletes in the world.
Tewa says he will continue to remind himself that he is there to do a job, and will do it to the best of his ability.
He says he never dreamt of being at the Olympics, and he is grateful for the opportunity to represent his family and country. Tewa had a passion for rugby like many young Fijians, however, fate had other plans for the young man from Gau.
He was an 800-metres runner, but his coaches advised him to run the sprints.
He took part in the 100 men’s final at the 2023 Pacific Games in the Solomon Islands where he finished fourth, and following this, he continued to push himself in training.
Tewa also represented Fiji at the 2024 World Indoor Championships in Glasgow, Scotland, and the Oceania Championship.
Team Fiji Athletics Manager, Nanise Seruitanoa says Tewa is a humble athlete who does not say much and his hard work has paid off.
Tewa will be running in the preliminary 100 metres event on August 4th.
The Olympic Games kick off this Thursday with the men’s football and men’s rugby 7s competition.
