It was an emotional farewell for Fiji 7s legend and two-time Olympics gold-medallist Jerry Tuwai and his family when the 35-year-old left our shores with the Team Fiji Rugby Men’s 7s side for the Paris Olympics earlier this month.
Poasa Vunisa, the father of Tuwai, says it was an emotional one because they are proud of his achievements over the years and they were in doubt whether he was going to make a 3rd Olympics appearance for Team Fiji or not.
While speaking to fijivillage News from their home, Vunisa could not control his emotions while sharing his final conversation with Tuwai before they left as Tuwai asked him for his blessings as he tries to help Fiji win another Olympics gold medal especially with the team struggling throughout the past two HSBC World SVNS series to win any tournament.
He says Tuwai kept training despite not being in the squad during the past two series.
Tuwai’s mother Seruwaia Vualiku says the struggles Tuwai went through are what motivated him to keep pushing.
She says they always reminded him that his rugby boots are his knife and fork that will help him support his family.
Vualiku says the overwhelming support they have received from the Fijian community is a testimony of Tuwai’s personality.
She says Tuwai’s achievement is God’s Plan in his life and their family’s life and she is adamant that Tuwai will help the team bring that gold medal home after the Paris Olympics.
The Fiji Men’s 7s will take on Uruguay at 3am tomorrow in their first match, they will then take on the USA at 6.30am, before playing hosts France at 1.30am Friday in their final pool match.
The Men’s quarter-finals will kick off at 7am Friday.
There will be a break on Saturday for the official opening of the Paris Olympics 2024 before the competition resumes on Sunday.
The semi-finals will kick off at 1.30am Sunday, and the final will be at 5.45am Sunday.
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