A long-standing relationship that began in the 1970s between the late Viliame Takayawa Snr, known as the ‘Father of Judo’ in Fiji, and retired schoolteacher and head coach Kiofumi Manada Sensei continues to thrive today. Their connection was established while Viliame was studying at a university in Japan, where they shared a passion for judo that flourished over the years.
This bond extended to Viliame’s sons, including three-time Olympian Nacanieli Takayawa, who trained under Kiofumi Manada Sensei. Nacanieli represented Fiji at the Olympic Games in 1992, 1996, and 2000, and secured a Gold medal at the Commonwealth Games in Manchester in 2002.
Today, following nearly three decades, several Fijian judokas are now able to earn scholarships to train and study in Japan, where they have the chance to learn from some of the top practitioners in the world. Additionally, Kiofumi Manada Sensei frequently visits Fiji, bringing students from Nihon Gakuen High School to engage in training sessions with local athletes.
Former Olympian Naca Takayawa shared his personal experience, noting, “Every summer holiday, I used to travel to Japan and stay with Kiofumi Manada Sensei, as he was the coach for Nihon Gakuen High School. Training in Japan six days a week significantly improved my skills.”
Earlier this week, Kiofumi Manada Sensei arrived in Suva with six judokas from Nihon Gakuen High School, along with two additional athletes from a local Japanese club, to train with Fijian competitors. Naca emphasized the valuable experience these sessions provide, stating, “Competing with talented judo athletes from overseas gives our judokas an advantage.”
The enduring partnership, rooted in the 70s when Viliame served as the national head coach, has facilitated opportunities for athletes to study and receive scholarships at Ryutsu Keizai University, enabling three of the four athletes to represent Fiji at the Olympics.
This strong relationship has fostered a deeper connection between Fijian judokas and their Japanese counterparts through training and cultural exchange. Naca also recognized the essential support from the Fijian government, the Fiji Sports Commission, the Ministry of Youth and Sports, and other contributors like FMF and Fiji Airways, which have all played a pivotal role in sustaining the judo sport in Fiji over the years.